Full Superstrut Conversion Driving me NUTS! HELP! Options

[black93hardtop]

Ok so I did a full superstrut conversion on my 94 Celica. EVERYTHING was replaced including the subframe(s), sway bars, spindles, brakes ect... I even installed a steering rack from a LHD German ST205.


Here is my problem. The steering count lock to lock is inconsistant and the car turns sharper to the left than the right. MUCH sharper. Ever stranger is if I center the wheel with a centered rack, it will turn 1 turn and 45 degrees more each way from center both ways (if the car is jacked up). If you put it on the ground it doesn't want to turn as far to the right (about one turn from center). If I start the car with power assist it will barely turn 3/4 a turn from center!!! It stocps and locks like it hits a brick wall, like normal. you can here the pump struggle and everything. If you kill the car right there, it will turn about a quarter turn more.

So I "centered the rack and wheel with the car running at 1 turn each way. 2 turns lock to lock. When I took it to get aligned, it didn't have enough adjustment to center the tires with the rack/wheel centered like it was. Even odder was while on the alignment rack it was able to turn the full amount like it was jacked up. So I recentered the wheel at 1 turn and 45 degrees each way.. aligned it and BAM! I leave and it only turns 3/4 to the right again!! Im so puzzled. I think this rack is messed up somehow.


HELP PLEASE!!!



Thanks,

Brian

[delusionz]

You may want to find out what the difference is between SS-III and GT4 superstrut, because I've had both cars and I'm sure the GT4 has less turns to lock (quick rack)

probably irrelevant but just throwing that out there, might give you some ideas

[black93hardtop]

All the st205 components are from a ST205 and the rack is from a German ST205. It's the same lock to lock as my JDM ST205 steering rack. All that aside, my steering lock to lock is inconsistent. It makes no sense. I'm also getting some shudder when turning right. All ball joints were inspected for play, all good. Very nice overall condition. What am I missing?

[richee3]

Off topic, but I see you're from Chicago. We're having a meet Saturday at Starved Rock. If you happen to be free, you're welcome to stop by.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=83435

Back on topic. Are you using the power steering pump for the GT4? I doubt if it would make much difference but you never know. I assume you didn't remove/rebuild the steering rack, just swapped it over?

[black93hardtop]

Unfortunatly Ill be out of town otherwise I would have made the trip! I haven't been to a car show in a long time.

Stock powered steering pump. I read they are the same from many reliable sources.. They look the same (I have one). I just stuck the used German LHD steering rack in the car.. This steering rack cost a fortune and took a month to get! Not to mention near two years to find!

[black93hardtop]

Problem solved (kinda). My oh so expensive rare LHD German steering rack was fractured at the aluminum casting (broke in half)!!! So I put the regular steering rack in like so many told me to do it the first place and what do you know, it doesn't clear the frame on full turn. Why can't this just have gone smoothly.

Ill post pictures of the broken rack soon. And I found out some interesting stuff on steering rack ratios (St205 German, ST205 JDM, ST204 USDM) and travel Ill post as well.

Thanks,
Brian

This post has been edited by black93hardtop: Jul 14, 2012 - 9:09 AM

[black93hardtop]

Im hopefully going to be offering custom inner tie rods (new) for use on a standard GT/ST model steering rack that allows the correct length and use of the curved ST205 outer tie rod ends. There are added benifits to the standard steering rack plus the fact that a LHD steering rack is so difficult to find and expensive this makes a great and technically better alternative.

Thanks,
Brian

[BonzaiCelica]

Im hopefully going to be offering custom inner tie rods (new) for use on a standard GT/ST model steering rack that allows the correct length and use of the curved ST205 outer tie rod ends. There are added benifits to the standard steering rack plus the fact that a LHD steering rack is so difficult to find and expensive this makes a great and technically better alternative.

Thanks,
Brian

hmm I might be interested in these

[BonzaiCelica]

sorry for the long time bump.

is there a difference between 1994-1996 and 1996-1999 superstrut end tie rod?

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Apr 17, 2015 - 1:42 PM

[ComaDave]

I would suggest comparing the part numbers on the Toyota DIY parts database. You can also take part numbers to cross-reference for the same part on a different car. (Like the caliper bolts on my ST205 brakes are also a t-case bolt from a USDM Rav-4...).

1995 Japan

1997 Japan

Most of the part numbers seem to be the same based on a cursory glance, but you should verify...

This post has been edited by ComaDave: May 15, 2015 - 2:52 PM

[mi645]

I cant get these nuts. (90179-16027) superstrut nuts for the figure 8 links.

[ComaDave]

If you want a Toyota part, you'll have to source it out of the U.S. or get it from someone with extra SSS parts it looks like.

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/xref?s=90179-...mJ=on&mG=on