I'm both an Empire kit owner/supporter and late to this discussion as I've been busy. I too check my Empire Risers before each drive and so far so good. However I can appreciate the potential issue and chance of failure so I will probably simply reinstall the stock Track Rod Ends that came on the car, but retain the Empire wishbones. These are what 'fix' the geometry change aspects and the slightly downward facing steering arms might actually just re-introduce a little of that sharpness of turn-in that the bumpsteer cars had initially. Whilst I preferred the sharpness of my car originally, this was far outweighed by the danger of massive bumpsteer. As Empire and Comfort fitted cars both demonstrate is a more relaxed (comforable?) turn-in than can highlight the inherent understeer tendency of course. I cannot lower the car any more on account header-to-shock clearance (mine is just one of those chassis' that suffer I guess).
I am full of respect for PaulJ for introducing us to Empire and for Bill in his innovative and effective design. It is only sensible to swap back to the stock, non-lifted track rod end on my 2013 car, given the failures and potential consequences.
I will report back in due course and maybe I might yet find the perfect - and safest - approach of all :-)
