RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Well my baby has started taking some steps out if the garage finally.
First stop was the exhaust shop followed by the Wheel Aligners, Time to fix that pidgeon toe stance and find out if my backyard measuring was correct.
Whilst camber and castor are in spec it seems that trying to adjust the Toe in sees it flip erraticaly from about 0.7 to 3mm and back when the tie rod end is rotated approx 1/2 a turn.

The suspension is std 2L struts, std crossmember , quick rack. new tie rod ends and new tie rods.
It seems that when we adjust the tie rod it throws the toe value out in a non linear fashion.
The kind of error you might see if the tie rod was bent. But I can replicate the problem on both sides which tends to indicate a problem is related to the alignment/position of the rack on the crossmember.

Is this normal? and a byproduct of the cars build and design criteria, 1970's quality control?
It seems to drive alright at the moment, but I haven't gone to far.
I think the next trip might have to be a tuning day.

TIA
Emil

Car looks great Emil, your problems sound like something is loose or worn. What are the ball joints in the lower control arm like. Is everything tight, control arm bushes? Check all mounting points and crossmember for tightness and or movement, check wheel bearings for correct adjustment... and no I've never had that sloppy an alignment.

JP

A bit off topic, but the last time I saw the car it looked nothing like that - congratulations!

Emil if the tie rod is bent it shouldn't really matter that much, you could just bend the rod back with an FBH, or you could leave the rod in a single position and adjust the steering wheel back to central (say one spline over) and then adjust the other side to get the toe you want

Thanks all,
tie rods ends and LCA's are all new, as are rack ends, So I dont think its slop.
I will try and check it in the garage with some string! and try Dannys suggestion.

Thanks
Emil

Check wheel bearings.