TRACK ROD ENDS (OR AT LEAST I THINK THATS WHAT THERE CALLED)

Post by **aupickup** » Sun May 03, 2009 1:13 pm

if the nut is loose then the track rod end should just unscrew from the gaiter end

Post by **simona1** » Sun May 03, 2009 1:22 pm

Yes thats what I thought but it is stuck solid I've tried everything I'll just have to persevere.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 03, 2009 4:33 pm

If you have heated it - it will probably be scrap now - suggest you fit a new one. Hard to imagine this is tight - they usually unscrew easily by hand - after the locknut has been loosened. After all - they are designed to be moved/adjusted from time to time. Sure you are turning it the right way ?

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:06 pm

There are flats on the rod that comes from the steering rack put a spanner on these to hold it still.
Mole grips will do the job too.

Post by **simona1** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:56 pm

I thought I might have been doing it wrong way too but tried it both ways and it still won't budge, put spanner on flat part and mole grips on the tre and still nowt, I only heated it up with a blow torch but yes maybe your right best to get a new one just dont like being beaten I've only spent 2 full days messing around with it getting very disheartened with it all now maybe I'm just not cut out to work with cars I did say I had no experience.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:36 pm

Concentrate on the locking nut first - it must be slackened away from the tre. Soak with paraffin/thin oil/wd40 if that's all you have. Then try again - hold the tre with one spanner (or mole grips - or stillsons if necessary!) and the good fitting spanner on the lock nut should move it away from the tre. If necessary - heat the locknut - you won't do it any great harm.
Anyone near-by could lend a hand here ? It's a bit far for me!!!

Post by **simona1** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:58 pm

I'm going to the classic car show at Leeds tomorrow there might be some stalls selling releasing oils there or something similar so I wont give up just yet, wifes loosing her patience with me though, thanks for everyones advice I do believe if it wasn't for this forum I would be tempted to give in but all your help keeps me going thanks alot. Simon.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:26 pm

Buy some longer spanners - or a decent stillson wrench!

Post by **simona1** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:57 pm

will do thanks alot.

Post by **MGFmad** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:41 pm

I used the mole grips method - worked well.

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:25 am

I had your problem with the track rod end last year when I spotted a torn steering rack gaiter the day before the MOT, which was 2 hours before I was due to set off for the Nat. Rally.
The two hammers method eventually worked. I got the two biggest hammers I had and held one against the lock nut and hit the other side of the locknut with the other hammer. If you replace the track rod end on the steering arm and tighten it up that will hold it steady.
You may find that if you put a spanner on the locknut and wedge it against something to stop it turning then use another spanner on the flats on the end of the track rod end and hammer the spanner in an anti clockwise diretion that may move something.
If you have a spare locknut you could try hacksawing the old one off.
Best of luck.

Post by **PAULJ** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:36 pm

I may have missed it but has anyone mentiond that they are handed threads, I think?

Post by **simona1** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:39 pm

Another update, I went to classic car show in Leeds today and someone else suggested a hammer underneath the TRE and hit it with another one which I did but STILL no bloody movement the locking nut has moved now its just the TRE that refuses to budge I think I'll try to get some realseasing oil tomorrow and soak it in that then if that doesn't work last one is to beg steal or borrow someones acetylene torch and heat it up, if anyone has any ideas or fancies a ride to Ossett to help me there is an endless supply of tea and biscuits, cheers Simon.

Post by **simona1** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:40 pm

Forgive my ignorance I am new at this but what do you mean by handed.

Post by **aupickup** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:47 pm

ok handed means left or right handed thread

so you still have to the nut off the bottom of one track rod end

if so a splitter will do the trick

if i lived nearer i would come over and do it for you

Post by **PAULJ** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:50 pm

one is left handed thread. What I have done in the past is slacked the lock nut and the track rod end befor you undo the ball joint. you can get som huge pipe renches on the rod.

Post by **aupickup** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:02 pm

i must admit i still find it difficult to understand why this has been so hard to do

Post by **PAULJ** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:15 pm

have you tried the right tool.
something like this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BALL-JOINT-SEPARA ... 7C294%3A50

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:47 pm

The problem as I understand it is not separating the TRE from the steering arm but undoing the lock nut and turning the TRE off the end of the track rod. It sounds as though the last gorrilla to check the tracking wrenched the locknut tight with a 2ft stilson wrench.
You could possibly try building up a pile of bricks or something stable and lowering the track rod so that the TRE is supported but keep the axle stand under the chassis so that the weight of the car is taken on the axle stand. You can now use both hands to swing the hammer. A 4lb lump hammer should do.
Next step is to swear and kick the hub caps!!

Post by **aupickup** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:00 pm

ok
the track rod end and lock nut will seperate away from the track rod end
so get 2 spanners one on eth end of the steering gate bit or on the track rod end, some have a flat on there and one on the lock nut
have the ends of the spanners slightlt apart and with one hand squeeze the spanners to gether

easier to do than explain