[Double Venom]

I have just determined a fluke on the steering rack & outer tie rod ends that's been around since the late 80's. Cpteddies super alignment guy called telling me that one of the inner tie rod end was short by 3/4"! I told him,

" I DID THAT PER THE ORIGINAL MANUAL. YOU HAVE OR ARE SUPPOSED TO CUT OFF THAT MUCH TO ALLOW ALIGNMENT TO COME INTO SPECS! "

Now CPT Eddies rack is a new Flaming River rack. Where the problem lies is the tie rods. Years ago their was only one tie rod available. Ford at one time or another then started to make two tie-rod ends for Pinto Vs. Mustang! They are simply declared by the same part number with and "L" added to the Mustang. ("L" meaning long, without the "L" it is assumed it is the short one!)

Bottom line is, if you have the shorter tie rods then you do NOT CUT THE INNER TIE ROD PER THE MANUAL! If you do have the long one(s) (6"s plus/ minus) then cut the inner tie rod per the manual.

For the most part, parts houses aren't even carrying the long tie rod any more.

If you find yourself cutting or already cut the inner tie rod then Flaming River does carry/make the long tie rod,
part # from FR is: FR-1603 L.

I hope this is a little clearer than mud this time!

DV