Aftermarket Rear Toe Links Worthwhile For Me?

[chuckhammer]

My OE/base GT toe links both lossened previously, causing -1.5° of rear toe by the time I caught it. My rear tires had nearly chorded in just 8k miles of street driving. A "chirping" noise out back is what caused my initial concern. I checked all manner of bolts for tightness until I gave up and took it to the alignment shop once the new tires arrived. This is when they found the excessive toe condition.

Is this a case of them not fully torquing down the adjustments during the previous alignment? Or, do these OE/base GT toe links have a true reputation for loosening their adjustments in normal street driving? Are aftermarket toe links a worthwhile "upgrade" to address this specific problem?

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[Jaymar]

I've never had the problem but enough folks have reported it for it to be a concern. Regardless, locking them out with the lockout plates and moving adjustments to a threaded knuckle with jam nuts should eliminate any possibility of it wandering.

 

[GTP]

The OEM setup calls for 130# torque at the cam bolts and so it is easy for things to slip and go out of spec.

I went to aftermarket turnbuckles but used my OEM bolts at both ends and pinned the big washers with roll pins. So torque not a big deal.

Obviously making adjustments is easier and more accurate. But you may only need to do it once. So you will have to decide whether to torque your oem setup harder or spend ~$200 for better toe links.

 

[petronix]

Toe links are cheaper than corded tires and another alignment.

 

[VictorH]

Unless you are tracking your car, stick with the stock toe links and make sure the inside and outside bolts are tight to OEM specs. You'll be fine. I just added aftermarket toe links after 5 years of regular track use, i.e. lots of curbs at speed. Toe does change over time but it's gradual and small. I think your situation is they were never properly tightened to spec. Save your $$.

 

[chuckhammer]

Thanks for the feedback, gents.

 

[K Myers]

IMOP the adjustable ones are better they will help with your traction and also keep the alignment set

 

[Dana Pants]

I’ve been beating the heck out of my car for a long time including many lovely events of throwing it sideways into piles of dirt. I've never had a toe link slip. 130 ft-lbs on those big fasteners is an incredible amount of clamping force. Its actually a pain in the butt to tighten because with one hand you have to hold the bolt in place with a breaker bar and with the other hand you have to get a bit angry at the torque wrench to make it click. Likely the shop didn't do their job.

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