Guest Anonymous Posted June 18, 2001 Share Posted June 18, 2001 Ok folks, redoing suspension, gonna be at the ball joints soon...Saw somewhere, steering knuckles, that were shortened about 10 mm or so....what difference would these make? Besides the obvious fewer turns, lock to lock? Thinking about high speed and what not...how would high speed handling be effected? Anyone have them installed? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy 77zt Posted June 18, 2001 Share Posted June 18, 2001 the steering knuckles are 510 parts-i dont have them on my car because of wide tires needing more leverage to turn at slow speeds.i havent felt i needed them but that can be a matter of personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 I hope I have not been miss-informed all this time but I thought all Z cars carried the same knuckle, and that the 10mm shorter ones were special competition stampings only. What's the real poop on this (being I paid $70 for the "competition arms" many years ago)? Are they really 510 arms? Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 Funny, I thought they came from a later Z like a 280Z...was debating whether to buy them or pull them at the yard. But if they'r e not recommended for street use, forget it. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 Had them on my previous Z. I didn't drive it much but it didn't seem to make steering effort too bad. I guess if you feel the steering is too loose go for it (shrug). This car doesn't have them that I know about, steering feels fine to me so I'm not looking to get them right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 I had 245/45zr16 tires on my car with a stock rack, and the shorter arms. I had my buddy Charles Atlas parallel park for me, but once the car got any speed at all, the tight ratio was very nice. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 I have them only because when I put strut spacers (often called "bumpsteer spacers") on my Z years ago, it caused the outer tie rod to come down enough that it interfered with the 14x7 wheels I had on the car (Michael Ol has these wheels now). The shorter arms were almost enough to completely get rid of the interference, although I had to do some VERY slight grinding on the tie rod body to get clearance. I didn't feel that the steering effort as horrible, but it was a bit difficult to steer at parking speeds. Then again, it didn't seem hugely more difficult for parking speeds than before when I had the OE knuckles on and those wheels and 225/60-14s on the car. Body building could help offset the effect . The on the road feel was very nice. [ June 18, 2001: Message edited by: pparaska ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 Like Owen, I also heard that the shorter knuckles were from 280Z's! Hrm, me thinks there is confusion in da kamp. I'd love to know "the truth" about them. Heck, I don't want to pay more for something I could pull from a 510 or 280Z at the wrecking yard! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsil Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 Early 240's (I think 10/70 and before) have 10mm shorter steering knuckles. They changed them due to people complaining about heavy steering effort. If you're using wide tires ont he street, they are not recommended. If you're racing, they give you a quicker response. AL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 well...since i pretty much was used to turning my old Camaro with a 245 out front with no power steering...think i might try em out...figure, i've got skinner tires, and a lighter car, so what the hell, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breeze77z Posted July 2, 2001 Share Posted July 2, 2001 I don't have the shorter steering knuckles (unless they are a 280 part), or have any idea about being 510s or 280z's, but it seems to me that they would make highway speed steering kind of touchy. I don't know for sure though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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