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track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:13
by weldore
gonna replace them tomoz..is there anything i need to know or is it fairly straight forwards

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:27
by dugcati
tiz a piece of cake provided you have a ball joint splitter either like this......

or like this......

both are around the tenner mark from MachineMart
The only thing I would really say to do is to measure the length of the track rod with the ends on before you start and then make the length as it was before when the new'un is one - saves getting tracking re-done. That said in theory as long as you leave the locking nut in place and unscrew the end whilst holding the arm (I think there is a flat in the arm near the end/by the locking nut) then the new'un will be in the same place as the old'un
Doug
Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:30
by weldore
so ..crack off the lock nut...then will it unscrew with the end still on?..then end off..or unscrew after end off?
just wondered if its tight on then maybe while in place unscrew....ooohhh ill see tomoz when i get me spanner out

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:43
by fullsunian
Once you got everything loose, when you unscrew the track rod end count the number of turns till it falls of the end of the track rod then just turn the new on the same amount of turns. Then you will be there or there abouts with the tracking. But still get it checked

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:45
by dugcati
weldore wrote:so ..crack off the lock nut...then will it unscrew with the end still on?..then end off..or unscrew after end off?
just wondered if its tight on then maybe while in place unscrew....ooohhh ill see tomoz when i get me spanner out

hehe you been on the pop aint ya!
Undo the track rod ball joint nut - separate the ball joint from the wheel carrier - put a (I think) 16 mm on the track rod on the flat cut into the track rod bar then with a ring spanner on the threads of the old track rod end unwind it from the rod - reverse to re-assemble

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:51
by weldore
cheers doug
erm..yes ive had a couple

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 21:57
by weldore
sorry ian..missed you post

...thanks for that too

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 27 May 2009, 22:06
by fullsunian
PMed ya....

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 28 May 2009, 08:50
by weldore
ok..so.. ive been under the van today..its not very nice under there is it

..sprayed some wd40 on the track rod ends and noticed this fellow..
bit closer..

looks a bit krackered to me
question is ..whats the rubber called so i can buy a set coz by the looks of it both sides need doing.
after the wheel fell off a few weeks ago its made me consious of every noise and i get a lot of banging on the front end on un-even road (it was doing this before the wheel falling off incident)...so just wanna feel safe when out in it

...and gail too
all the other rubbers look fine apart from this chap...but i do get a rubbing noise (like rubber squashing) coming from between the seats under the van when i hit a deepish pot hole or go over a speed bump
thanks..dave
Re: track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:28
by fullsunian
Hello agian matey. That rubber is the anti roll bar drop link rubber

Get some more WD40 on it

Re: track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:30
by weldore
cheers ian...you are a star...do you agree they have had it?..the other one is much the same
should there be a nice rubber do-nut all round that collar both sides?
Re: track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:31
by fullsunian
Ya get them changed mate, will be the making alsorts of bangs and knocks

Re: track rod ends
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:34
by fullsunian
all the other rubbers look fine apart from this chap...but i do get a rubbing noise (like rubber squashing) coming from between the seats under the van when i hit a deepish pot hole or go over a speed bump
thanks..dave[/quote]
This noise could well be the top wish bone bushes, give them some WD40 and see if noise goes away. But really if they are noisey then the only way to stop it is to change them too.
Re: track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:36
by weldore
thats what is hapening..its very un-nerving...one of the track rod ends had play in it too so thats why i thought to change them both...took the drivers side one off and the original one is about 8 mm shorter on the tie bar than the new ones...

..its never straight forwards..is it
i suppose if i dont get the length right...the van wont be either

Re: track rod ends and suspension rubbers
Posted: 28 May 2009, 09:42
by weldore
did the counting while unscrewed the original one so i just have to measure the difference between the 2 screw the new one on same amount of turns then space out the lock nut to the right gap..tighten it up and fingers x ,it goes in a straight line
right im off to get dirtier

..laterz..and thanks again