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[Jorsher]

It's my 1990 crx.

Got the traction bar and hydro conversion installed.  When I had the steering column dropped and needed to move the suspension around, it would make a nasty metal noise.  I don't know if it was just the column inside the car moving, or if it was the gear grinding in the steering rack.  I didn't have the key in the ignition so the steering should have been "locked"

Anyway, got the interior and everything back together.  The toe is visibly off, which I'm assuming is due to installing the traction bar.  The steering wheel has to be turned a quarter turn to the left for the wheels to be "straight."

I don't know jack shit about the construction of the steering rack...so my question is: could it be just because the alignment is off or did the gear possibly "skip" some teeth since the steering column was down and ignition was "locked?"  If so, any quick way I can fix it?

[Jorsher]

Not to be a smartass because I appreciate any tips...

But, if I have to turn the wheel to the left for them to be straight, then when I turn the steering wheel to the right to make the steering wheel straight: the weels are pointing right.

[Doug]

I say the alignment is way off.

[Jorsher]

Well I did put on the traction bar which I think is the reason the toe is fucked, but not sure why the steering would be so far off.

On one hand I don't think there'd be enough play in the steering rack and column for it to skip teeth as I could see that being a safety issue, but then again I don't know so am asking if it's possible.  Hope it's just an alignment issue.

[Jorsher]

Am definitely getting an alignment.

I guess to sum up my question:
Is it possible for teeth to be skipped on the steering rack or did installing the traction bar just severely fuck up the steering wheel being centered?

Thanks

[onlyflash944]

get a couple jack stands and string it up.  alignments aren't rocket science, and you should be able to get close using string and tape measure

[Jorsher]

unless you removed the steering shaft from the rack the teeth did not skip.

Cool, good to know.

Am going to align it best I can and then get some "pros" to redo it.  Guy on a local forum gives discounts for alignments/tires.

The toe is ridiculously off so I definitely want to fix that before I drive it.

[snm95ls]

Any adjustment to camber or caster will affect toe, hence why toe is the last setting done on alignments.

Unless you disconnected the steering shaft, there is no chance that the pinion gear slipped on the rack.  If it was making noise before, it might be wise to check to make sure that your rack end bushing isn't toast as it is common on 88-91 Civiak with a ton of miles.  Grab the RH boot and feel for the inner tie rod end, try to shake it up and down.  If you can feel significant ply, then the rack end bushing is toast.  Search the usual sites to find a write up.  It is pretty easy to do.

[HiProfile]

My interpretation is that he disconnected the column from the dash, but the universal joint from column to rack wasnt touched. If locked, that would make the joint try to curl up & spin the rack, grinding floor & hole in the body it runs through.

On the crx suspension, any adjustment to the traction bar's radius arms will pull the toe out of alignment. I can guaranty that no 2 susupensions/frames on 20yr old CRX's will be exactly the same, so every adjustable traction bar install will require new toe settings.

[Jorsher]

My interpretation is that he disconnected the column from the dash, but the universal joint from column to rack wasnt touched. If locked, that would make the joint try to curl up & spin the rack, grinding floor & hole in the body it runs through.

Yeah, as I was saying heard some horrible vtak noises while moving the suspension around outside of the car, but obviously wasn't able to watch inside the car and move the suspension around at the same time.  Just wanted to make sure there was no possibility of the gear "skipping teeth."  Didn't think there would be and that it was just rolling around the interior but wanted to check with those more knowledgeable since I've never done a damn thing with anything steering related...

Have some DIY alignment videos from youtube I'll use and get it as close as I can.

[Jorsher]

Am just going to get the toe as straight as I can.  It's way off.

That'll get me to a shop for an alignment without eating up the tires.

[nock]

solution:
step 1: set the toe.
step 2: get on the freeway.
step 3: remove the steering wheel.
step 4: put the steering wheel back on as strait as possible with out shitting your pants.

if you have a good strait level floor, a good 4ft level, two identical tape measures, and some furniture grade wood, you dont need to pay some fucker $350 for a front end alignment.

[jagojon3]

$350?!?!?!!

I pay $40-50 for a front end alignment

[nock]

a friend of mine works for ford he said thats what they charge, i said he was nuts.

[Jorsher]

Steering wheel has notches so it fits one way.  I could grind them off but prefer shit to be done how it's supposed to be done (to an extent).

Someone on the local car forum offers discounts to members, it'll be way, way cheaper than $350.  That's stupidity.

I'll fix the toe, take it to the dude, be done with it.

[HiProfile]

don't take the steering wheel off, that is not the right way.

i worked at one of the best alignments shops in san diego and we only charged $40-$60 depending on the car.
custom specs paid more though.

sounds like you have a good plan

If he took the wheel off, turned the rack any, and put it on "off" a few teeth, then re-centering it that way is the proper way. Who's to say he's not 2/3 of the way through the tie-rods' threads, and the amount used to re-center would leave 2 threads? Unlikely, but not "unpossable".

After that I'd get shit all reset at an alignment shop. If it was just a simple drop from springs, I'd do it with the strings. A major change should really get a full alignment. Just make sure where you take it will have enough brains to know a non-factory part such as added radius arms will allow for caster adjustment. Half the places I called a while back wouldn't touch camber despite having an ingals kit installed.

[onlyflash944]

Unlikely, but not "unpossable".

you mean, impossible?