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Rear Toe Adjuster Locks

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    #1

    Rear Toe Adjuster Locks

    Having "had it up to here" with the weld-in rear toe adjuster bolts loosening all the time I came up with what I hope will be a fix this. I've never had the camber adjusters loosen or move, just the toe adjusters. For a while I thought that it was the axial mis-alignment of the bushings that was the problem, but now I'm not so sure. Both see the same motion in the trailing arm as the suspension compresses and extends. So the forces on both adjusters should be about equal in that respect. If the mis-alignment of the bushings were to be the problem I'd tend to expect both to loosen. My theory now is that the toe adjusters loosen as they (unlike the camber adjusters) see fore and aft forces from power and braking.

    I made my own eccentric bolts using 12 point aircraft bolts & nuts. Those fasteners are stronger than grade 8 fasteners and the heads and nuts are smaller in diameter. The bolt head takes a 1/2" 12 point wrench/socket and the nut takes a 9/16". The bolt head and nut are a touch taller than a standard bolt head or nut.

    The attached pictures show one of the locks. The tab between the jam nuts gets welded to the subframe against the pinch weld seam. The sector arm welded to the socket has two holes 30 deg apart so no matter where the bolt head winds up one of the holes will be in reach of the threaded lock rod. I future that if I can keep the bolt from turning the nut can't loosen and thus the toe should remain as set.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by jlevie; 11-13-2011, 09:04 AM.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL
    Tags: None
    #2
    Ingenious idea!
    Do you have another picture of them installed?

    Comment

      #3
      Not yet, and since I'm doing this on jackstands it is going to be tough to get a picture. I'll see what I can do later.

      Later: There is no way I can get a picture of the locks installed with the car on jack stands. Sorry.
      Last edited by jlevie; 11-13-2011, 12:37 PM.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

      Comment

        #4
        I'm stupid. I just can't visualize it installed.

        Edit: Nevermind, I see it now. Genius!
        2008 335i - n54b30
        1991 318i - m52b28
        1994 fzj80 - LAND CRUSHER

        Comment

          #5
          I just installed the AKG camber/toe adjustment plates. I still have the subframe out of the car, haven't reinstalled it yet. But I just came across this and I think it's a great idea.

          Since it's been a year since you posted this, any updates? Did it seem to do the trick?

          Also if you've somehow gotten a pic or two with these locks installed, that'd be great... I'm pretty sure I can picture how these work, but it would be nice to see it firsthand. Thanks!

          Edit: I don't have the aircraft hardware, I'm using new E39 eccentrics. There's no reason this wouldn't work using a 17 or 19mm socket instead right? Clearance is good?
          '89 BMW 325is Zinnoberrot / '88 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW GTI 16v Bright Blue Metallic / '91 BMW 325i Black / '91 BMW 325i Sport Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Montana Green / '01 Audi A4 Avant TQM Silver Metallic / '01 VW Jetta GLX VR6 Black

          Comment

            #6
            The locks have worked perfectly through a number of race weekends.

            I don't know how well they would work with hex head bolts. I used the aircraft bolts because the head is taller and the fit on a twelve point socket is tighter. So there is no chance of the socket coming off.
            The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
            Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment

              #7
              I understand what you mean, but I'm going to give it a shot. Having spent $50 on the new E39 hardware I'm in no hurry to change it out.
              '89 BMW 325is Zinnoberrot / '88 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW GTI 16v Bright Blue Metallic / '91 BMW 325i Black / '91 BMW 325i Sport Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Montana Green / '01 Audi A4 Avant TQM Silver Metallic / '01 VW Jetta GLX VR6 Black

              Comment

                #8
                Could you provide any dimensions? Specifically for the length of the threaded rod and the plate to which the socket is welded? I realize it will work without copying yours directly, but it's tough to get a scale from the pics.
                '89 BMW 325is Zinnoberrot / '88 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW GTI 16v Bright Blue Metallic / '91 BMW 325i Black / '91 BMW 325i Sport Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Montana Green / '01 Audi A4 Avant TQM Silver Metallic / '01 VW Jetta GLX VR6 Black

                Comment

                  #9
                  I'd have to go measure things. I pretty much made up the set by eye.
                  The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                  Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                  Comment

                    #10
                    progress pics?
                    -FREEDOM- is cruisin at 80, windows down and listening to the perfect song-thinking "this is it"
                    -The Beauty in the Tragedy-
                    MECHANIC SMASH!!- (you all know you do it)
                    Got Drop?? ;-)
                    Originally posted by JinormusJ
                    But of course
                    E30s are know to be notoriously really really really ridiculously good looking

                    Comment

                      #11
                      How do these things work?
                      Do you have a picture of them installed?

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Originally posted by jlevie View Post
                        I made my own eccentric bolts using 12 point aircraft bolts & nuts. Those fasteners are stronger than grade 8 fasteners and the heads and nuts are smaller in diameter. The bolt head takes a 1/2" 12 point wrench/socket and the nut takes a 9/16". The bolt head and nut are a touch taller than a standard bolt head or nut.
                        Okay, I originally went ahead a made toe locks modeled off yours, but for use with the E39 eccentrics. However, I have some other issues with the subframe and so I'm going to be starting from scratch. I got another shot at making this one even better.

                        I'd like to know more about your use of 12 point fasteners. How did you make eccentrics out of standard bolts? Any info/pics would be much appreciated!
                        '89 BMW 325is Zinnoberrot / '88 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW Jetta GLI 16v Tornado Red / '89 VW GTI 16v Bright Blue Metallic / '91 BMW 325i Black / '91 BMW 325i Sport Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Black / '92 VW GTI 16v Montana Green / '01 Audi A4 Avant TQM Silver Metallic / '01 VW Jetta GLX VR6 Black

                        Comment

                          #13
                          I seem to remember another thread where someone suggested using a castle nut with a cotter/safety pin to prevent the bolt from loosening. Weld the castle nut to the backing plate, drill a hole through the bolt, and put the pin through.

                          Not sure how many people have done that, but it seemed like the most elegant solution.

                          Som

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