FITTING A NEW TRACK ROD END

[marco2002]

Hi
Need to fit a new track rod end on the drivers side found a bit of play in it and its starting to go.
The part is on order and most of the garages around here are booked up solid till end of next week. i've got monday and tuesday off work so could do it then. Had a look in the haynes manual and it doesnt look to bad a job.

What tools do you think i'd need obviously a balljoint splitter and a spanner to get the locknut undone. I had 90% of my tools stolen recently so a lot of jobs are proving a bit more tricky without them.

Hopefully i can borrow what i need off a friend. Would i need some molegrips as well?
Any tips or advice for doing this job would be appreciated. Afterwards i'll have to get a 4 wheel alignment as it will be a bit out perhaps.

cheers
Marco

[djheath]

Measure and mark a point on the tie rod to the end of the tie rod end so you can get a rough idea of how much you need to screw the new one in.
Molegrips would help.

The lock nut and tie rod will probably be really corroded and locked tight in place. I wouldn't fancy getting it undone with limited tools to be honest.

All I can say is good luck!

[marco2002]

Its sods law really had tracking done about 2 weeks ago and it needed adjusting after the n/s/f lower balljoint was replaced surprised the fitter never noticed that the track rod end was on the way out. Hopefully when i try to get it off it won't be welded on!!

[jasper5]

If the tracking was done as the fitter indicated, the locking nut on the steering arm for the track rod end will have been undone.

[HimBigChief]

I had to replace mine last weekend, took me about an hour and I only had limited tools. First off, douse the whole lot in WD40 and leave it to soak for a good while, then slacken the nut on the end of the track rod which goes through the hub, then undo the large nut used for setting the tracking (I used an adjustable wrench, also spray lots of WD40 to soak in along the threads into the track rod), next undo the nut on the end of the track rod and allow the track rod to drop down, try and use a pair of molegrips to grip around the track rod itself and then using the adjustable wrench again, tighten it around the track rod end and wind it out. Will take a bit of persuading at first, but once you've got it free, it should come out fairly easily. Fitting is the reverse of removal and then allow the suspension to settle for a few miles and take the car and get the tracking checked. I still need to get mine done!

[marco2002]

Thanks for the advice
May have to do it myself on day off on monday. Garages all seem to be booked solid till end of next week. Credit crunch doesn't sem to be affecting them!
Off to GSF tommorow after work to get the track rod end. Anyone got any suggestions on wheres the best place to buy a new set of tools? \someone said to give screwfix a go. I looked in Halfords the other day and they have a 130 piece tool set in a metal tool chest for about £50.

thanks

Marco

[jasper5]

Halfords have some surprisingly good quality tools at reasonable prices right now, don't forget to ask about their current deals, sometimes they don't have them listed in store, but if you ask, they often have good deals from time to time.

I bought some good screwdrivers at half price the other week, they were on the web site, but not in store, I asked and they produced them.

[Pob]

I use Halfords tools, they currently have a offer on a 150 piece socket set. Halfords Advanced Professional... Was £199 now £97.89 Ive got the older set, which I think is a bit better as there is more deep reach sockets but the set is really good and strong. If anything breaks, they will replace them free of charge (Keep the reciept though) I use the normal sockets with a hammer gun and they've never snapped.

Dan