New Tie Rods rubbing Bottle Caps...

[JAshley73]

On an 89 325i, I just got done doing a front-end refresh, only the driver's side so far. The car is on 14" OEM bottle-caps.

I replaced the front-driver's Control Arm, CAB, Sway Bar End-Link, and Tie-Rod. Parts came from the "E30 Budget Suspension Rebuild Kit" form BLUNTTECH... Per their website, it says the tie-rod's are Karlyn brand.

So I did all the work to the driver's side, and took a short test-drive to see how bad the alignment was off from the 1st side. I turned a little sharp to the left, and heard a loud growling noise. Sure enough, the bottom of the tie rod is rubbing the wheel.

A google search turned up a few hits on this problem, mostly regarding aftermarket tie-rods. I did a search here on R3V, but didn't see any related threads pop up.

So, any harm in simply grinding down the tie-rod ends so that they'll clear the wheels, or will this cause an issue? I really don't want to have to get new wheels *just* because of this...

[MR 325]

I would return the Karlyn tierods and get something better. I've seen the same issue before with that brand.

I've had no fitment issues with Meyle, Lemforder, or Febi though.

[Coupelx]

I clearanced mine slightly with a grinder and flap wheel.

[JAshley73]

1st picture shows OEM tie-rod end on the left, Karlyn on the right.

2nd picture shows the approximate thickness of the OEM tie-rod end.

3rd picture shows the approximate thickness of the Karlyn tie-rod end.

[blunttech]

Justin Let us know what you want to do on this and thanks for letting me know

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I got some MOOG tie rod ends from Steve and have had zero issues

[turbo55]

I got some MOOG tie rod ends from Steve and have had zero issues

+1 but from Amazon

[JAshley73]

An update for those wondering. As CoupeLX mentioned above, I was able to grind the tie-rod ends down and clear the wheels. Attached are the photos of the wheel once removed, showing the interferance between the stock 14" bottle-cap wheel, and the tie-rods in question. Then, there's some crappy pictures of the tie-rod ends after grinding. Last picture is shown looking through the wheel's spokes, showing the clearance between the tie-rod end and wheel, after grinding. It's close, but it works and the car drives SO MUCH BETTER NOW!

Steve at Blunttech mentioned that he's sold hundreds of these kits, and has never seen this issue. I believe him. I actually work in machining of forged heavy automotive components, and while it's unusual, occasionally we'll see a forging come through that's a few MM thicker. Because of the tight clearances between the wheel and tie-rod ends, it wouldn't take much variation in the forgings to create a bad fit at the time of assembly. Either way, no fault of Steve's...

[dc318icabrio]

Wanted to bump up this old thread. I just put in the Blunttech budget suspension refresh kit and the front tie rod ends are rubbing the inside of the wheels, especially in turns. Car is a 91 318ic, the tie rod ends in the kit are made by Meyle. Wheels are stock 14in bottlecaps. I'm going to grind down the ends but just wanted to post as an FYI. I'm happy with the kit itself, guessing this is a manufacturing error on Meyle's part.