Now we all know EP3s lowered more than 1 inch suffer from poor handling and lack of suspension travel. (this applies to a regular street driven EP3, not a full raced out EP3 where every major suspension component has been changed/modified) My question is will a EP3 with a an aggressive drop (2+ inches) wear out the steering rack/tie rods faster than the norm? I bought my EP3 brand new in June 2005 with 60 miles. At the 5,000 mile mark, i had Motorsports Technique install my Ground Control sleeves/Koni Yellow shocks, they lowered the car 2 1/2 to 3 inches. The front tie rods went out at about 120,000 miles. Now at 120,000 miles, is this normal for the tie rods to go out or will the tie rods have lasted longer if the car wasnt dropped 2+ inches? So far i have no issues with the steering rack (no creaks, nothing) and the car is just over 130,000 miles. When can i expect my steering rack to go out or should it have gone out already?

Bottom line is Mcphereson suspension on the EP3/DC5 doesnt respond well to drops in excess of 2+ inches in terms of handling, however besides that does it make the suspension components wear out faster? ie. tie rods, steering rack.

*Thanks in advance

 

usually when u go that low it does tho but dont kno how long it last tho. i ran into that problem before too. before it even blows out or watever i just went ahead n order me a reverse tie rod n it helps. i got the t1r tie rod

 

lolwut?

 

sorry if its funnie i just happen to ran into that problem with the tie rod. n i just wanted to let costco to know wah my opinon from my view n just wanted to help a member out sorry..

 

Thanks for the the input D. Nemo ep, i heard not so good things about the T1R tie rod ends for the EP3. Bad things such as the tie rod ends snapping and coming loose since the thread isnt long enough compared to OEM. How low is your EP3 and have you had any issues with the T1R tie rod ends? Thanks again

 

intriguing, im looking to also go lower (maybe teins, tanabe or eibachs, - 1.5" max) on an EP3 I just got with over 105K miles... Hmmm... Also wondering about the tie rods & s-rack...

 

i have no issues with the t1r tie rod yet some how it gives me more responds on turning and it lowers the s rack down tho so it helps out from bendin the rack. cause if u lower ur lower ur car the rack rasies up.
hmm i think im at least 3in drop, maxed out on the front susp.
i think i put the tie rod on around 134k n now im only at 143,100

 

Thanks for the input, im familiar with the funky tie rod angles/steering rack. Your dropped pretty low, i think mine is between 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches. Good to hear your having no issues with the T1R tie rod ends.