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It appears to me that my suspension (tie rod?) knuckles are too close to my front tires. There is less than a 1/2" gap between the inside of the tire wall and the knuckle. Is there an adjustment that I should make or did the prior owner install something backwards?

Thanks for your comments!
Gar


I have attached two pics.

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I think it's supposed to be that close.
This is the best shot I have of my 180. You can see the tie rod end is very close.

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One more, showing the arm and how close it is to the brake backing plate.

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My concern is if I hit a large pothole the tire may flex and the rod can gouge out the sidewall of the tire. (obviously not good) If I had an inch gap I would not be concerned, but since I am about 3/8" from the sidewall that worries me.
What would happen if I buy a short tie rod?

Thanks

Quote: Me thinks a lot of toe out!

My '41 120 was like that, in putting over 20,000 miles on it before I sold it, nary a problem of rubbing on the tyres.

As long as you don't have an oversized tire, I don't see any reason for concern. The engineers who designed these cars were professionals and certainly recognized such things as underinflated and flexing tires.

Additionally, I've never heard of the problem you suggest actually occuring.

The one thing that could possibly be amiss would be if you have wheels with the wrong offset, which would also be the only thing I could think you could change.

The solution you posit, a shorter tie rod, wouldn't do anything. The only thing that will get the tie rod end away from the tire without changing the wheel or using a spacer on the wheel would be a different steering arm, which would require quite some fabrication. As a point of fact, the position of the tie rod ends is related to need for proper steering geometry, which was worked out by Ackerman, and is based upon the track, the pivot points, the wheelbase, and the distance rearward of the front axle centerline the tie rod lies:

Ackerman Steering Geometry

Good point Jerome, I hadn't thought of that possibility.

OK... So if I check the tire specs and compare it to the original bias ply, I should have about 3/4" gap between my tie rod and the side wall. My current tire is a 235/75r15.

Per DB and Coker, if I replace it with a 820r15 that will give me the gap that I need.

Front tires are 15 years old, so I need to replace these tires as I will drive this car on tours. (Cheap insurance)

Gar

Shouldn’t your car have 7.00 X 15?