Removing Track Rods

[Doof 11]

Anyone ever had a go at removing track rods. I've got some new ones to go on but cant see how to get the old ones off. Seems I might need some special tool.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

 

Lewis

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Blow torch & spanners.

[Pug_101 0]

Anyone ever had a go at removing track rods. I've got some new ones to go on but cant see how to get the old ones off. Seems I might need some special tool.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

 

Lewis

 

 

I take it your talking about the ball joint part. If so there are a number of different special tools for this. I use a forked wedge type myself although this type will damage the track rod you are taking off. Another way to do it without the tools is to undo the nut until it covers the end of the thread and is loose to turn, but still on the thread quite a bit then hit it with a hammer. Not a ideal way to do it but sometimes it works.

cheers

[hengti 2]

with the balljoints still in the hubs, slacken off the lock nut on the steering rack - use pentetrating oil and perseverence if they're seized

you can use a oxy torch (if you've got one) to get them off if all else fails - but leave it all to cool properly before reassembling with the new components. you're unlikely to get it anywhere near hot enough using an ordinary gas cannister type blowtorch

 

if you're struggling to get the balljoints undone, just whack them out with a hammer - you're not worried about damaging the threads if you're going to be replacing them

[jackherer 543]

you're unlikely to get it anywhere near hot enough using an ordinary gas cannister type blowtorch

 

a plumbers blowtorch has always worked fine for me...

[jonD6B 0]

The tapered end can usually be shocked off by hitting the side of the hub where the taper sits within. A pair of grips and a spanner will tend to the other end.

[d-9 0]

I used a 19mm spanner on the lock nut, gave the spanner a wack with a soft-faced mallet which cracked the nut fine, ten used the windy gun on the nut that goes into the hub. Whole lot came apart very easily, but i guess i was lucky!

[jonnie205 1]

You lot are talking about track rod ends not track rods. To remove the track rods you will have to remove the rack gaiter and use adjustable stilsons to grip the joint body. They have self locking tabs which you will have to peen back over when you fit the new ones. NOt sure if they can be fitted with the rack in situ but i expect you can. I have alswys done them with the rack off.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

NOt sure if they can be fitted with the rack in situ but i expect you can. I have alswys done them with the rack off.

 

My mechanic has just fitted a new track rod with everything on/in the car.

[GLPoomobile 958]

You lot are talking about track rod ends not track rods. To remove the track rods you will have to remove the rack gaiter and use adjustable stilsons to grip the joint body. They have self locking tabs which you will have to peen back over when you fit the new ones. NOt sure if they can be fitted with the rack in situ but i expect you can. I have alswys done them with the rack off.

 

Bloody typical eh!

 

I was thinking about giving this a go myself. Sounds easy enough from reading the discription in Haynes, no special tools mentioned etc.

 

Then along comes Jonnie and all of a sudden it's a 100 times more complicated! Haynes Shmaynes! Might as well stick it my arse for all the good it does

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

For the track rods I used mole grips and they just unscrew off the end of the rack. From memory the "locking" washers just bend out of hte way when you undo them with enough force, and act like a kind of ratchet when you retighten them (though new tie rods come with new ones AFAIK).

 

For track rod ends I always hit the side of the hub and the track rod falls out.

[Doof 11]

Thanks for the replies guys, i forgot i had posted this thread

 

I was indeed talking about the track rods themselves and not the ends, i should have been a bit more descriptive.

 

But anyway, I'll give it a whirl with mole grips, it'd be nice if that would work.