Is it safe to drive without a TRE secured?
Discussion
Hi guys
My brothers snotter failed its mot on two track rod end ball joints. He popped down earlier and we have managed to change one without issues, after much knuckle skinning etc.
On the other side, we cannot move the nut on the tie rod at all. Because of the state of the old ones, they have clearly been adjusted to take up slack in the ball joint previously, the wheel is miles out of true with the new TRE fitted right up to the securing nut.
To make the wheel true (ish) the TRE is 5 full turns further along the tie rod. With now a gap between TRE and the securing nut.
No matter how much heat we've used we cannot budge it.
Question is, is it safe for him to drive home this evening and then to a garage first thing tomorrow to get the nut loosened and have the new tyres/ tracking it requires?
It's approx 50 miles for the two journies.
Or, are there serious horror stories and do I need to lend him my car and get a mobile guy out to sort it?
My brothers snotter failed its mot on two track rod end ball joints. He popped down earlier and we have managed to change one without issues, after much knuckle skinning etc.
On the other side, we cannot move the nut on the tie rod at all. Because of the state of the old ones, they have clearly been adjusted to take up slack in the ball joint previously, the wheel is miles out of true with the new TRE fitted right up to the securing nut.
To make the wheel true (ish) the TRE is 5 full turns further along the tie rod. With now a gap between TRE and the securing nut.
No matter how much heat we've used we cannot budge it.
Question is, is it safe for him to drive home this evening and then to a garage first thing tomorrow to get the nut loosened and have the new tyres/ tracking it requires?
It's approx 50 miles for the two journies.
Or, are there serious horror stories and do I need to lend him my car and get a mobile guy out to sort it?
I can't work out what you are describing, can you take a picture of the setup.
If not, dont drive it. I've moved a car before that had the track rod end only just put on one turn, fortunately it just came off in the car park at work but not having any steering is not the best feeling
Edit;
Just re read it and worked it out (too much beer!).
No, don't drive it. The nut is there for a reason, it is too much of a risk to drive it that far.
Buy a nut splitter from halfrauds or somewhere and take the lock nut off or change the hole tie rod/steering arm.
If not, dont drive it. I've moved a car before that had the track rod end only just put on one turn, fortunately it just came off in the car park at work but not having any steering is not the best feeling
Edit;
Just re read it and worked it out (too much beer!).
No, don't drive it. The nut is there for a reason, it is too much of a risk to drive it that far.
Buy a nut splitter from halfrauds or somewhere and take the lock nut off or change the hole tie rod/steering arm.
Edited by Jimmyarm on Tuesday 9th September 19:54
imo you need to get the nut moving. Heat and stillsons if it's rounded. Move the nut away from the tre snd then you can adjust properly.
thats if I understsand what you're saying properly.
edit: yes I agree with jimmy - you should not drive it with a gap between the track rod end and the nut. If the track rod end becomes detached that wheel will swivel and you could crash. If it caused a serious accident he would be in the s
t if that was the cause. Sort it properly or don't drive it is my advice.
thats if I understsand what you're saying properly.
edit: yes I agree with jimmy - you should not drive it with a gap between the track rod end and the nut. If the track rod end becomes detached that wheel will swivel and you could crash. If it caused a serious accident he would be in the s
t if that was the cause. Sort it properly or don't drive it is my advice.Edited by CoolHands on Tuesday 9th September 20:01
It'll be fine OP.
At work after changing a TRE I usually just leave the jam nut loose whilst I take it a run to settle the suspension before doing alignment.
I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
Disclaimer: If you, your brother or anyone else is killed or injured or anything damaged I take no responsibility.
ETA: If concerned just tighten it back up to the jam nut, who cares if the wheel is off center until he gets it aligned.
At work after changing a TRE I usually just leave the jam nut loose whilst I take it a run to settle the suspension before doing alignment.
I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
Disclaimer: If you, your brother or anyone else is killed or injured or anything damaged I take no responsibility.
ETA: If concerned just tighten it back up to the jam nut, who cares if the wheel is off center until he gets it aligned.
Edited by P I Staker on Tuesday 9th September 20:09
P I Staker said:
It'll be fine OP.
At work after changing a TRE I usually just leave the jam nut loose whilst I take it a run to settle the suspension before doing alignment.
I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
Disclaimer: If you, your brother or anyone else is killed or injured or anything damaged I take no responsibility.
ETA: If concerned just tighten it back up to the jam nut, who cares if the wheel is off center until he gets it aligned.
Doing it all the way to the jam nut, It's so bad that the tyre squeals when you drive it! At work after changing a TRE I usually just leave the jam nut loose whilst I take it a run to settle the suspension before doing alignment.
I wouldn't recommend it long term though.
Disclaimer: If you, your brother or anyone else is killed or injured or anything damaged I take no responsibility.
ETA: If concerned just tighten it back up to the jam nut, who cares if the wheel is off center until he gets it aligned.
Edited by P I Staker on Tuesday 9th September 20:09
In the end, not ideal but we managed to cobble together some washers and make up the space. Wheel was slightly out but he has driven it home without fuss and it's still tight!
The issue is the jam nut though, the hex on the bar itself is nicely rounded off and we could not get any purchase at all. Tried mile grips, stilsons and a spanner, no dice. The nut will not budge, at all.
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