track rod ends

[thanuttiscotsman]

hi there,
anyone know just how we go about changing track rod ends and how easy is it? i have never done it before and dont want surprises. do you need any special tools or new washers or anything?? always good to learn!!

cheers rossco

[Toddman]

Not actually done them on a BX but most are similar.

The end will be either threaded like a bolt or nut and it screws onto/into the steering rack arm and is locked in place by a lock nut - so to remove you wire brush it up and use Plus Gas or WD40 to free it off.
The other end is usually a taper fit into the steering arm on th ehub and secured via a nyloc nut which is usually replaced with new ends.

You need a ball joint splitter to get the tape rout or clever hitting with a pair of hammers.

That is the basics - A Haynes manual preferably th eolder brownish/grey covered one is very usefull

Cheers
Luke

[Timmo]

from what i have been told an easy way is to mark the place on the rack with something like a paint spot where the end of the track rod is then undo old one and replace with new one! placing new one up to mark from old one and Bingo!
I ma sure its a smidge more technical than that but having never done one i can only say what i have been told!!!

[thanuttiscotsman]

cheers guys,
thats cool. i have taken tapered bits out before. im pretty confident about it. just need to secure the part now. i just dont want to upset the tracking.

cheers rossco

[docchevron1472]

It's very straight forward and is essentially as dictated above. However, no matter how careful you are marking where the old one was, it's always worth getting the car tracked after. A few beer tokens for a track is alot cheaper than a new tyre every 3 months......

Cheers
Chris G

[thanuttiscotsman]

your right doc, i'll have the garage test her after ive fitted the part.

cheers rossco