Track rod has no adjustment

hello
i have a 1987 Golf GTI cabriolet

i need to align the wheels as when the o/s wheel is pointing straight ahead, the n/s wheel is pointing way too much to the right.

on the o/s track rod it has the nut against the track rod end so it can be adjusted.
the n/s has no nut and no thread on the track rod??

do I need to replace the whole track rod with an adjustable one?

 Thanks in advance

 

You need to find a garage/tyre place that can do it. Most cars have one on both sides and older VWs confuses them.

When done the steering wheel will need to be removed and religned, which you dont usually have to do when the car has both sides adjustable.

I have done this already…..


One I realised I couldn’t adjust the n/s I turned the steering wheel until the n/s wheel was pointing straight ahead making the o/s wheel out
I then adjusted the track rod on the o/s so both wheels are now parallel to each other
drives fine

the problem being is now when I turn right the rack hits the stops, I can turn left 2 and a bit turns of the steering wheel, when turning right I can only get 1.5 turns

i know it needs to be aligned on a machine but thought I could get it somewhere close to right 1st

what do I need to do to fix it?

Over here, the NS and FS tracking rods are 2 parts inner, and outer.

So there isn't an issue with adjusting the tracking.

On my 81 Diesel it had the ns rod as non-adjustible…. I converted it in 84 to have two part tracking rods of the Cabriolet.

So do i need to buy an adjustable n/s track rod and end?

I think you need to adjust the tracking so the geometry is correct and then adjust the wheel to straight ahead by removing it (if required), not move the wheel and try and make the tracking match that?

Thank you for all your help on this as its doing my head in!

i need to adjust the N/S wheel but cant do this as its non adjustable.
I think i need to recentre the rack - does that make sense?

Has the car ever had some front end damage or work done on steering?

I've had MK1s for 30+ years as daily drivers and hobby cars. I've never had problems having the tracking adjusted but have come across garages/tyre depots that either moaned it was a ballache or got confused but did sort it.

 

Thanks Early-1800.

I have only owned the car for 1 year so an unsure if its had any accident or steering work done.

I have 1 issue:
steering turns more left than right - I know i have created this as i adjusted the O/S TRE.

If i put the O/S back to where it was and then turn the steering so the O/S wheel is pointing straight on the N/S wheel will point outwards (to the left) as there is no adjustment on the N/S TRE.

If you have the 1-piece tracking rod that is non-adjustable on that side, go buy a inner and outer rod for the other side and use it.  

then take the car and have the tracking aligned at a shop, they have the machine to set it right…..

I don't know who invented the single piece unit, but they sure can confuse the hades out of a shop or you when you try to track it Why????? because you have to set that side straight, then lock the steering wheel, and pray that you can move the other in or out of toe to get the tracking correct….  Just be sure that you use anti-seize on the mating parts to make them easier to turn or remove later on.  

I will set things rough, but I always take it to a track shop (we call it and alignment shop over here, and tracking rods are inner or outer tie-rods)

So only one side is adjustable.

Tracking or 'toe' only needs to be adjustable on one side, because it's only a two wheel alignment thing … ie the relationship between both front wheels, unrelated to the rear wheels….

How are you measuring your toe?

As it sounds like you might be doing something wrong, or, one side is damaged…

Are you are sure you are setting the non-adjustable side to straight ahead before adjusting the adjustable side? Because if you start off with non adjust side toeing in or out a long way, this would result in your rack being off of centre at straight ahead at the wheels….

Remember to disregard what the steering wheel is doing, this can be corrected at the end once the toe is set.

Hello
yes, I started with the non adjustable side wheel straight
i am ignoring the steering wheel as I’m aware I can remove and refit once done
i adjusted the off side and took it for a spin, it drives ok and am aware it needs aligning on a machine
the only problem I have is that the rack stops when turning sharp right
i have more steering wheel turns to the left than to the right

You have to Center the rack. That is unless the Rack is centered all bets are off.

Pop the outers off the spindles.

Spin it from side to side count the turns, then spin the other way and divide by half. Now that you have the rack centered, Reconnect the tie rods. Now start adjusting.

Hhmmm….

Thinking about it, it won’t be possible to ‘centre’ the rack , as such, with one side non adjustable.

I would Try finding the centre of the rack as is, and then once you are sure the rack is at its centre point , check where the non adjustable side wheel is pointing and go from there.

Out of interest , what is the toe on a mk1? I assume you are are setting it at 0, so the measurement front inside edge of wheel to wheel is the same as the measurement across rear edge of rim wheel to wheel…?

Also, bear in mind, even with massive toe in or out , like 2mm plus, the car will drive fine… toe angle doesn’t usually cause the car to pull to one side…


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Another thought, the toe needs to be set with the front wheels on the ground, Wright of car on wheels and fully settled.

I assume you’re doing it like that?


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#weight


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Also , measurement is at the centre of the wheels, inside front edge to edge and inside rear edge to edge


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Once the rack is centered, then you can move the wheel in and see where it engages if it is out, then you have to move the inner inwards or outwards to set it accurately.

Once that is set then getting the other to go in or out is easier.

On the two piece rods the adjustment is way easier as both sides are adjustable either the inner tracking rod can move or the outer can move….

What I have done in the past is to replace the solid arm with a two piece, and fully seat the as far as it would go.
I then lubed the outer end of the inner with Never-seize and spun the outer on after the lock nut of course.

Way easier.

I think I changed my non adjustable track rod for a mk2 golf one to make it adjustable on my scirocco 
Before then I just made the tracking as good as it can be and recentred the steering wheel by unbolting it and putting it on straight 

All sorted, I replaced the N/S for an adjustable one and then centred the rack.
just need to get the tracking adjusted properly now
thank you everyone for your help