Track rods
- Thread starter rnnicol
- Start date
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Van_Dammesque
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2011
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- 481
Shouldn't be too difficult if the car is propped up correct (to take the strain off the suspension, torsion bar), but I imagine you will need the tracking done afterward (eg national tyre center do a free check and cost £30 to realign). Maybe worth getting them to change it and align it for the total price you'd pay considering the time and effort involved (eg getting off rusted bolts!).
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tuonokid
Active member
Hi Richard
Do you mean the track rods or track rod ends? Both jobs will require the tracking checking afterwards but the track rod ends are a lot easier to do than the track rods.
Barry
Do you mean the track rods or track rod ends? Both jobs will require the tracking checking afterwards but the track rod ends are a lot easier to do than the track rods.
Barry
Hi Barry,
I'm changing to track rods and the track rod ends, to fit in with all the other frp parts, so the tracking will need done, but along way from that. I've not seen a guide on how to do this, and the fiesta manual doesn't cover it, but once I get them I'll have a go. Next time I'm in the Ford garage I'll ask them.
I'm changing to track rods and the track rod ends, to fit in with all the other frp parts, so the tracking will need done, but along way from that. I've not seen a guide on how to do this, and the fiesta manual doesn't cover it, but once I get them I'll have a go. Next time I'm in the Ford garage I'll ask them.
RoadWarrior
Member
Might be easier to do with the steering rack out. I've very rarely seen play in the inner rack, unless it's hit a pothole or had crash damage. They usually start seeping fluid when they're worn out.
Track rod ends you need a 21MM ring spanner, and leave the bolt in on the hub, then put the spanner on the nut turn it anti-clockwise until it stops moving, then whack the spanner with a hammer to shock the bolt, you only need to turn the nut about three times, then mark where the tie-rod end sat with tippex. You may need a air compressor with an impact gun in order to spin the bolt of the hub, some of them are stuck and will not budge without it. Put some copper grease on the new bolt when refitting.
Track rod ends you need a 21MM ring spanner, and leave the bolt in on the hub, then put the spanner on the nut turn it anti-clockwise until it stops moving, then whack the spanner with a hammer to shock the bolt, you only need to turn the nut about three times, then mark where the tie-rod end sat with tippex. You may need a air compressor with an impact gun in order to spin the bolt of the hub, some of them are stuck and will not budge without it. Put some copper grease on the new bolt when refitting.
tuonokid
Active member
Hi Richard
I take it from that that the FRP track rods are longer then? I've never worked on a power steering rack but in old escort racks the track rod was bolted on to the end of the rack at the ball joint but there was always a way of staking the thread so they couldn't come apart by accident (either chisel marks or a soft pin). Inside the ball joint there would be a plastic cup with a spring behind it this would press on the end of the track rod which had a ball cast into the end of it. I'm pretty sure I saw the track rods advertised on a site a few days ago but it's how they're locked onto the rack that could be the problem. Obviously the fastening is inside the rack gaiters.
I take it from that that the FRP track rods are longer then? I've never worked on a power steering rack but in old escort racks the track rod was bolted on to the end of the rack at the ball joint but there was always a way of staking the thread so they couldn't come apart by accident (either chisel marks or a soft pin). Inside the ball joint there would be a plastic cup with a spring behind it this would press on the end of the track rod which had a ball cast into the end of it. I'm pretty sure I saw the track rods advertised on a site a few days ago but it's how they're locked onto the rack that could be the problem. Obviously the fastening is inside the rack gaiters.
