For an NA, how critical for a lowered car to have R/LE Tie Rod Ends?

[The Driver]

As the title says; I will be getting Fat Cat Motorsport adjustable coilovers for my NA sometime in August (ordering them next week). The spring rates are yet to be determine, but the height to be used will be 12F/12.5 rear. The roads are kinda crappy here in CowTown and they are that much better in Denver, where I'll be moving next to.


So what say you? I hear about this "bumpsteer" thing, and I have NO CLUE as to what does that mean, and why should I be swapping Tie Rods, when the current ones are working just fine.


Oh yeah, explain it to me like I'm a five year old as well; when it comes to stuff like this, I may as well be a 5 YO...:fp:

[kung fu jesus]

The LE/R TREs (tie rod ends) are nice to have, not 100% necessary.

Here is a good thread to read. (http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=271910)

[The Driver]

Txs Kung Fu!

[bedheadben]

Txs Kung Fu!

Let me know if you still have trouble understanding what bump steer is after reading that and I will do a little write up.

[The Driver]

Let me know if you still have trouble understanding what bump steer is after reading that and I will do a little write up.

For our own benefit, go right ahead!

[ctrench]

my own experience with bumpsteer is that the car wants to pull/go with the road... im pretty low (not sure on exact height) but on a completely flat road my alighnment is perfect and the car is as straight as an arrow when i let go of the wheel... but if i get on roads that are worn or have grooving in them, the car wants to automatically pull in the direction of the ripples or grooves in the road, it actually has been pretty dangerous for me... i really want the R/LE tie rod ends on my NA

[kung fu jesus]

That isn't bumpsteer, that is tramline. What are your alignment settings?

[kung fu jesus]

Read this about tramlining. (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=47&PID=4178069&SID=h9fgpdi5jm0k&AID=10398365&)

[ctrench]

im not sure about my alighnment setting but i have 8" wide rims with 0 offset and 180 treadwear tires... which in the article said that those are both part of the cause of tramlining... i should be getting a manual rack soon and will be getting my alignment redone, and hopefully find some cheap R/LE tie rod ends to replace while im at it

[bedheadben]

For our own benefit, go right ahead!
Will do!

Read this about tramlining. (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=47&PID=4178069&SID=h9fgpdi5jm0k&AID=10398365&)
I always called it tracking haha, but I like the tramline term. My Subaru does it super bad on the 275's with a 0'd out toe.

[bedheadben]

For our own benefit, go right ahead!

http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?3223-The-Boss-Brief-Explanation-of-Bump-Steer&p=50177#post50177

[DK Wolf]

That isn't bumpsteer, that is tramline. What are your alignment settings?

I was gonna say...

Anyway for those TL;DR here's a sparknotes

hit a bump, suspension travel causes your vehicle to move due to the geometry. (depending where your steering rack is (front or back of wheels, compression will cause the wheels to either toe in or toe out)

Lowering or raising tie rods will fix this issue.

[atlnb]

I say it's a good thing to have if you have a lowered roadster (NA or NB) and have bumpsteer issues.. MiataRoadster sells them on their site for a decent price IMO.