HOW TO: Change track rod ends

This will help you change your track rod/tie rod ends.

Parts you will need:
Track Rod RH: 1020174
Track Rod LH: 1020175

Tools you will need:

Allen keys or allen key socket bits
15mm spanner
2 x adjustable spanners
Maul Grips

Your ball joints will probably come like this with a blue sleeve, a retaining nut, and a lock nut for each one should also be present



Pull off the sleeves, note they are handed



Jack up car and stick on axle stands



Remove wheels, which will gain you access to your track rod end ball joints



Start by undoing the lock nut on track rod arm, two adjustable spanners are needed, one to hold the track rod end to stop it turning, the other to undo the nut



Next up take a suitable allen key or allen socket, and put it in the bottom of the thread of the ball joint, this will stop it spinning when you undo the nut, take your 15mm spanner and undo the nut



withdraw from the knuckle



Now the ball joint should be free to turn, if not you may need to clamp the track rod with a pair of maul grips to stop it spinning. Important, count the number of times the ball joint turns as you unscrew it, remember or note down the number



If may also be worthwhile marking where the ball joint was with a permanent pen





Remove the old lock nut



Screw on the new locknut



Screw the new ball joint on the same number of turns it took the old one to come off and check it lines up with the pen mark too, then tighten the lock nut in the same fashion of holding the ball joint still with one spanner



Place the thread back through the knuckle and again holding the thread with the allen key tighten the new nut up to 37nm

Nice new ball joint installed



crusty old ones throw away



Now take your car to get the toe checked and you are done!

Excellent, need to do this shortly. How much are the genuine parts from Ford?

about 17 quid a side from ford parts uk

Not to sound stupid when asking a stupid question but why do you change these? What do they effect?

Because when the fail the wheel falls off.

lol yeah and they can go loose and cause play in the steering

probably job best done when you are going to get new tyres get tracking done once not twice.

when they adjust the tracking, they loosen the lock nut right. what do they then adjust? is it the track rod? because as you used grips to hold it, do they use grips to twist it to get alignment right?
if so why is there no special face face on it to put a spanner instead of chewing up with grips. seems a bit of a cowboy way to do adjustments especially as its a common adjustment done.

Yeah twist the track rod spins fairly easy with the lock nut loose maybe even by hand

unless the nut has rusted on!
i use stainless nuts and copper grease

might machine a flat into the track rods...hmmmm

you wouldnt want to weaken them lol if that snaps your wheel falls off :lol:

Hi there

Can anyone just confirm that these are the correct parts for a 2001 Puma and that there were not different versions for the later cars? I've ordered these even though as with many bit and bob's they are being sold as Fiesta parts.

Regards