Play at track rod to rack joint

Play at track rod to rack joint

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Discussion

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Tuesday 10th November 2020
quotequote all
Hi,I have play at the joint of track rod ballto steering rack on early Tasmin mk1 fhc .Am I right in saying under bellows there is a lockout over the ball joint of the track rod which is pinned.Can you drill out the pins and tighten to remove play.drill and re pin to lock .If so are the pins available ? .If not is it a replacement rack ? Cortina mk4/5 ? Thanks dave

rev-erend

21,579 posts

298 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Sounds like play in the track rod end.

They are pretty cheap (20 for a pair..), just replace them.

Numbers probably here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

KKson

3,457 posts

139 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
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I think Dave is referring to the actual ball joints that are part of the rack that then connect to the two threaded rods that connect to the track rod ends. I've no experience is stripping the racks so not sure if it's a DIY job to replace.

rev-erend

21,579 posts

298 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
No idea if they are available ..

I sent my rack to Clinton's..

https://steering-racks.co.uk/boxes-cars/

KKson

3,457 posts

139 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
No idea if they are available ..

I sent my rack to Clinton's..

https://steering-racks.co.uk/boxes-cars/
Likewise I'd always use Clinton's. Cheers

TwinKam

3,321 posts

109 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Correct terminology is important.
The part you describe is called the Track Rod, and consists of the threaded rod and the inner ball joint. It screws directly to the toothed sliding bar (rack) of the steering rack, behind the bellows. Sometimes a sacrificial locking washer is used, other times 'Loctite'. Care must be taken not to put undue stress on the rack bar when changing the Track Rod
The Track Rod End is the shorter outer joint that screws on to the Track Rod, connecting it to the steering arm on the hub upright, and allowing toe adjustment with a lock nut.
Track Rods are simply replaced rather than adjusted these days, although I have seen some recrimped in a press to 'tighten' them up.



Skyedriver

20,486 posts

296 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
TwinKam said:
Correct terminology is important.
The part you describe is called the Track Rod, and consists of the threaded rod and the inner ball joint. It screws directly to the toothed sliding bar (rack) of the steering rack, behind the bellows. Sometimes a sacrificial locking washer is used, other times 'Loctite'. Care must be taken not to put undue stress on the rack bar when changing the Track Rod
The Track Rod End is the shorter outer joint that screws on to the Track Rod, connecting it to the steering arm on the hub upright, and allowing toe adjustment with a lock nut.
Track Rods are simply replaced rather than adjusted these days, although I have seen some recrimped in a press to 'tighten' them up.
IIRC on many racks, the inner end of the track rod wears but may be shimmed out within reason. It's a steel ball on the end of the track road which sits in a concave cup in th rack. Are some nylon rather than steel?

adam quantrill

11,604 posts

256 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
On our racks the inner ball joint is resting in a nylon bearing cup (inside that end cap that is split pinned).

I had a minor amount of play on one end of mine, so I did exactly what you are suggesting, took out the split pin and cranked the cap up half a turn which removed the play. This got me through the MoT and has lasted a couple of years now.

However you do run the risk of eating right through the nylon and when the track rod inner bearing meets the metal face of the rack end, after grinding all the way through, the fix will be much more expensive. You will have to weigh this up for yourself, but if you only do very little mileage it's probably worth just nipping it up.

The stupid nylon ends are by themselves quite expensive, I've seen £30 or thereabouts, for a little nylon cup.

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Thursday 12th November 2020
quotequote all
Hi,thanks for replies .Will have a look under bellows and see if theres a split pin ,remove and nip up.Where can I get a new nylon cup from Adam ? Thanks dave

adam quantrill

11,604 posts

256 months

Friday 13th November 2020
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I think the rack rebuilders recommended can sell them separately (at not inconsiderable expense).

I was thinking of having my own turned on a lathe, I already have some nylon rod just in case.

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Sunday 15th November 2020
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Hi Adam and all,will strip this week and have a look ,see if the cup has worn away .Take some photos if poss.thanks Dave

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Friday 20th November 2020
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Hi,have taken pics.Play,at both inner joints and play up/down on other photo at full lock .Rack needs overhaul ?

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Friday 20th November 2020
quotequote all

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Friday 20th November 2020
quotequote all
Hi,joint looks like its pinned ?

adam quantrill

11,604 posts

256 months

Friday 20th November 2020
quotequote all
On the top one you will see some flats on the bar, you can get a spanner on that. The nylon cup(s) is inside the metal cup that is screwed onto the end. Yes, it's pinned, so you'll have to break the pin when undoing it or indeed nipping it up.

For the lower one, if the up/down play doesn't affect the steering angle, then leave it alone.

If you don't want to tackle this then it's rack out and off for a refurb.

french dave

Original Poster:

316 posts

161 months

Monday 23rd November 2020
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Hi,daft question ? but how much room will I need on one side of the car to get the rack out .Is it best done car outside the garage ,I have about 2 ft either side of car to wall inside .?