tie rod hitting downpipe

Ragno Volante · Post by **Ragno Volante** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:42 pm

Hi All,

Anybody run into the tie rod on the passenger's sider hitting the exhuast downpipe? What is the best way to fix this problem. I have a lowered '80 spider. Thanks!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:19 pm

is the exhaust system stock, or are you using a header?

Ragno Volante · Post by **Ragno Volante** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:15 am

Hi Mark,

The exhuast was built by a local using a magnaflow muffler and tips. The header is from an ealier less restrictive Spider. I don't recall which year.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 2:31 pm

the downpipe is the most difficult piece to build, I hear stories constantly about aftermarket header woes and clearance issues. I took great care with my design and clearance around the steering idler and tie rods and still everything has to be just so.

You may have to put a dent in your downpipe to get clearance. Can you post a pic?

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:49 pm

I had a similar issue of close clearance, when I put a taller 1.6 and 1.8L engine in place of the original 1438cc. Mine actually was just the tied rod clamp bumping agaist the downpipe, and was resolved by loosening the clamp, rotating the clamp (not the tie rod -- or it will affect the toe in) to a different position, then retighten.

Alvon

bman · Post by **bman** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:06 pm

Guys -I have the same problem,and am looking for an answer also.I have a 1980 2liter (just put in engine) trying to convert to 421. The downpipe is from 1979 I think.The manifold not sure what year it is. I thought it was hitting on tie rod bolt,actually I just came in from the garage and dremeled the top of the extra threads off, its still hitting on the tie rod heat shield and nut? The motor mounts are new,so i dont think its a sagging problem.Also I noticed the down pipe wont align with the support bar from bottom of the transmission,its approx 1/4 inch lower than support? Are there different support bars?Motor mounts? Rob dont mean to takeover your post,but getting antsey on firing this thing up,Ted

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:52 pm

i don't recall the '79 using a 4-2-1, so i doubt that your down pipe is from a '79.

to my knowledge both the '79 & '80 carb'd engines used the exact same exhaust...keeping in step with the extemely restrictive intake.

Ragno Volante · Post by **Ragno Volante** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:46 pm

Hi All,

Thanks for the replys. MarK, below are a few pics of the where the tie-rod has hit the exhaust. Is it my header set-up or the tie-rod? I had them replaced the same time my car was lowered.

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is= ... 50,590,391

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is= ... 50,590,391[/img]

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is= ... 50,590,391

Sorry, links are not working properly will need to cut and paste.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:03 pm

looks to me that your down pipe isn't far enough down. any chance a spacer can be put between the downpipe and the header?

To my knowledge a proper tie rod should be horizontal to the ground, which yours appears to be.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:18 pm

to eliminate bump steer the tie rods should be on the same plane as the lower a arm