034 spherical rear tie rod installation ?

[Tjtalan]

Ok so I'm having issues lol, I purchased the 034 rear spherical upper control arms, and rear spherical tie rods. My first question, has anybody successfully installed the black updated versions of the tie rods.

I'm running the rear chassis stiffening kit from 034 and at suspension compression the tie rods make contact. I was told by 034 that my rear subframe must be bent, first off the chassis stiffening kit would not lineup if the sub frame is bent. I double checked just to be sure, The sub frame is not bent.

At this point I'm trying to decide if it's in anyway installation error on my part, in fact I hope it is.


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[lo-lyfe]

I have the earlier version of this tie rod (the red shaft) and ran into the same issue. Regardless of the orientation of the rod end spacers - in other words, where you place the long spacer and the short spacer within the subframe - the shaft will hit the sway bar support bracket and get dinged under load. My solution is to source a set of rod end spacers that place the head of the end link somewhere in the middle of the inside of the subframe, instead of orienting it closer to one edge, as is the case with 034's uneven spacers (in your pic above). Hoping that works. IMO, I don't think 034 tested both of the products in unison (Sway bar support bracket and adj tie rods) to see if they were compatible together.

Also, the old version included rod ends that, IMO, were not of the best quality. Despite the fact that my car is stored over Winters and hardly sees any rain, the rod ends rusted and seized after less than a year of use. I swapped tho original rod ends with QA1 Endure Series end links in aluminum and wrapped those in dust boots. For the sake of longevity my suggestion would be you do the same (dust boots, that is).

Old Pic:
[IMG]005 by Hussaria[/IMG]

New Setup:
[IMG]019 by Hussaria[/IMG]

[Tjtalan]

Thank you very much for the reply, exactly the info I needed.

[Audi9]

I have the same setup with the updated design and still have rubbing issues even after perfectly lining them up. I brought the issue up with Adil at 034 but he wasn't aware of any other people having problems.

Compared to your pictures my setup seems to be rubbing much more but I've been running them for about a year

[lo-lyfe]

I have the same setup with the updated design and still have rubbing issues even after perfectly lining them up. I brought the issue up with Adil at 034 but he wasn't aware of any other people having problems.

Compared to your pictures my setup seems to be rubbing much more but I've been running them for about a year

I ran mine for about a year with the rubbing as well. Once the contact area shaved whatever material off the tie rod shaft to get clearance I didn't have any more issues. I'm estimating the groove cut out of the tie rod shaft was a few mils at least. Would prefer not to have to drive like that, however.

[uponone nogaro]

Dam the wheel well is hella clean

[LightningLou]

Dam the wheel well is hella clean

Exactly what I was thinking... You could eat off that wheel well

[Tjtalan]

The problem is my suspension is binding, its that bad. Cant even get my alignment done.

[Tjtalan]

I have the same setup with the updated design and still have rubbing issues even after perfectly lining them up. I brought the issue up with Adil at 034 but he wasn't aware of any other people having problems.

Compared to your pictures my setup seems to be rubbing much more but I've been running them for about a year

I ran mine for about a year with the rubbing as well. Once the contact area shaved whatever material off the tie rod shaft to get clearance I didn't have any more issues. I'm estimating the groove cut out of the tie rod shaft was a few mils at least. Would prefer not to have to drive like that, however.

How are you guys adjusting the Tie rod ? Are you still using the eccentric bolt ? I thought the point of the tie rods was the adjustment, I cant turn the rod lol.

[Audi9]

I put the length as close to the factory tie rod length as I could get and use the eccentric bolt for any adjustments

[lo-lyfe]

How are you guys adjusting the Tie rod ? Are you still using the eccentric bolt ? I thought the point of the tie rods was the adjustment, I cant turn the rod lol.

Use both, tie rod and eccentric bolt. Like Audi9 stated, I get my tie rod close to OEM length and eyeball the position of the wheel relative to the fender, aiming for a neutral stance. The finishing adjustments are made by the alignment shop when the car's suspension is being dialed in.

You can't turn the tie rod due to the fact that it is binding against the sway bar support bracket? IF that's the case my suggestion would be this: get some 5/8" to 1/2" reducers (8 total, 2 per rod end). The 1/2" reducer will get you close to the diameter of the M12 eccentric bolt. You can get them in different lengths (see below for a possible vendor):

http://pitstopusa.com/c-131783-chass...-bushings.html

Then hit up JEGS for some 5/8" spacers or stay with pitstopusa for reducer bushings. Either way, you will probably deal with some trial and error in getting the correct lengths of bushings/spacers that will allow you to place the rod end inside the subframe so that you get the proper amount of clearance for the tie rod shaft. A cheaper alternative is to allow for some slack within the subframe between the rod end and the bushings and run some 12mm spacers to make up the difference.

https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...x?product=4520

Wish I had a solution for this problem but my car is sealed away in a car jacket for the Winter. Can't get to it even if I wanted to or I would be breaking the moisture seal. I will be dealing with this issue myself come Spring, however, but I hope you're all squared away before then :-)

[Tjtalan]

Thanks everyone that posted, but I don't think any of us should need to modify parts that should just work. I've been in contact with Sam at 034, he has been vary helpful. The rod shafts are going back to 034 for further machining, hopefully this thread points out that the problem is not an isolated incident.

[Audi9]

^So what ended up happening? I'm getting tired of mine binding on the sway bar support brackets

[Tjtalan]

Sam at 034 has been awesome, The engineering team made a new version after coming to the conclusion that the old style does not work with the chassis stiffening kit. I should have them tomorrow, i'll post pictures when I receive them!

[Audi9]

I spoke with them Monday as well about the updated design. Cool to see its taken care of.

[Tjtalan]

I spoke with them Monday as well about the updated design. Cool to see its taken care of.

Sam and the guys 034 are top-notch, they didn't bullshit and they fixed it in a timely fashion. I'm just happy to get my car of jackstands!

[slowrideBC]

I have these installed but my car hasnt seen the road yet, I hope I can just swap them for the revised ones or 034 can machine them.

[034Motorsport]

I'm pleased to say that our new design has been officially released and the new tie rods are in stock!

We've redesigned these rear tie rods to offer increased clearance when utilizing them in conjunction with our Billet Aluminum Rear Subframe Reinforcement Brackets. The new design features a billet-aluminum body that is machined in-house to provide more clearance than the previous version, while retaining ease-of-adjustment, and increasing strength. You can learn more or place an order for these on our website!

Adjustable Spherical Rear Tie Rod Set for B4/B5 Audi A4/S4/RS4 & 80/90/RS2





Thank you for your continued support, and we're pleased to continue supporting the B5 platform with new products, while continuing to make improvements to our existing product line whenever possible.

[Cacti]

Can we send back the center section to get a new version if we have the previous version?

[kingofqueenz788]

I need to know the same thing I baught these a few months back!

[034Motorsport]

Can we send back the center section to get a new version if we have the previous version?

I need to know the same thing I baught these a few months back!

Please send Sam an email at [email protected] and he will help you guys out!

[kingofqueenz788]

Is it SAMs or sam@034 ?

[joeSfour]

Is it SAMs or sam@034 ?

[email protected] - As 034 said in their post.

[Audi9]

Well this sucks. Picked up the "new design" tie rods from 034 and after taking the suspension and old ones apart, I open the wrapping/packaging to find the new ones are identical to the old ones. Kinda pissed

[Tjtalan]

Well this sucks. Picked up the "new design" tie rods from 034 and after taking the suspension and old ones apart, I open the wrapping/packaging to find the new ones are identical to the old ones. Kinda pissed

Yeah, that sucks man.

[lo-lyfe]

Well this sucks. Picked up the "new design" tie rods from 034 and after taking the suspension and old ones apart, I open the wrapping/packaging to find the new ones are identical to the old ones. Kinda pissed

The "new design" ones you received are not tapered in the middle? I thought that was the whole purpose of the re-design, with the tapering to provide the clearance needed for the sway bar brackets. Maybe 034 shipped the "old" version by mistake...I'm assuming you do not have the original 034 tie rods for a side-by-side comparison pic?

[Audi9]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2N...p=docslist_api

[lo-lyfe]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2N...p=docslist_api

Thanks. From the pic I would say someone at 034 definitely made a mistake and shipped the old version of the shafts. Look nothing like the solution 034 advertised here and on a different thread. I can see why you're frustrated. Hopefully 034 rectifies this quickly and at no cost to you.

[034Motorsport]

Well this sucks. Picked up the "new design" tie rods from 034 and after taking the suspension and old ones apart, I open the wrapping/packaging to find the new ones are identical to the old ones. Kinda pissed

We're very sorry about the mishap! Somehow an old set of tie rods were still on the shelf when your order was pulled. We'll be sending you the correct components today at no charge.

Cheers,
Laszlo

[Audi9]

Well, 034 strikes again! After removing the inner and outer aurora joints so I can transfer them to the "updated" rods I find the outer half isn't threaded correctly and won't allow the Aurora joint to be threaded in. Once again I have to put the old ones back in. Fucking awesome. Thanks 034.

[Tjtalan]

Well, 034 strikes again! After removing the inner and outer aurora joints so I can transfer them to the "updated" rods I find the outer half isn't threaded correctly and won't allow the Aurora joint to be threaded in. Once again I have to put the old ones back in. Fucking awesome. Thanks 034.

When I got mine they had been anodized inside the threads, I had the same issue, instead of dealing with sending them back I ran a tap through the threads.

[Audi9]

When I got mine they had been anodized inside the threads, I had the same issue, instead of dealing with sending them back I ran a tap through the threads.

I'll try that and see what happens. Thanks

[Audi9]

Nice, Tjtalan to the rescue haha. Cleaning up the threads did the trick. Wouldn't think anodizing would be enough to cause a problem?

[034Motorsport]

When I got mine they had been anodized inside the threads, I had the same issue, instead of dealing with sending them back I ran a tap through the threads.

Nice, Tjtalan to the rescue haha. Cleaning up the threads did the trick. Wouldn't think anodizing would be enough to cause a problem?

We apologize for the issue; generally speaking, we ship these tie rods assembled. Since we shipped you the arms by themselves, it seems the threads may not have been chased after anodizing. Hope you enjoy the parts!