Track Rod Questions.....

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:15 pm

1. How big a job is it?

2. Will it stop my steering wheel shuddering at 80 tuts?

3. Can Mac get it done before MT on Friday?

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:29 pm

You are a muppet have you not had that done yet!!!
Seriously it's not a job for mac at the moment with the race prep he has to do and you need it done before KH.

robin · Post by **robin** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:34 pm

Changing the end is quite simple, however you will need to get the wheels aligned when you're done - doing that yourself is harder though possible (requires flat surface a good ruler and some string ...). You can certainly make a reasonable job of it (even better if you take some careful measurements before you start).

But, your vibration almost certainly caused by one or more of (a) badly balanced wheels (b) worn wishbone bushes (c) dodgy wheel bearing.

Cheers,
Robin

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:42 pm

Robin,
Have you had a look at Dave's steering rack?

I think Dave's steering rack needs the nylon cup replaced and that he has some play at the steering rack ball joints.

Dave if you do do it yourself count the number of turns that you need to make to take the track rod end off and then use the same number of turns puttinfg it back on.

robin · Post by **robin** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:06 pm

Stephen wrote:Robin,
Have you had a look at Dave's steering rack?

I think Dave's steering rack needs the nylon cup replaced and that he has some play at the steering rack ball joints.

Dave if you do do it yourself count the number of turns that you need to make to take the track rod end off and then use the same number of turns puttinfg it back on.

Ah no - if it's the rack you're changing I think it's a bigger job than you can handle by yourself as it's a barsteward. I can probably find someone to buy your spot off you for the track day though

BTW, the turns thing often doesn't work because the new rod end has a different offset than the old one ...

Robin

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:34 pm

Robin,
Fair point but I would have hoped to reuse the same TRE's and the same rack / rods with a new nylon cup.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the track rod is not a serviceable item on the elise, is it?

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:43 pm

hmmm.. well I've had the wheels balanced twice now and replaced the front balljoints..... and although the shuddering is much better....it's still there....

basically blokey at the garage says one of my track rods has a bit of play in it and didnt seem to understand me when i told him to fix it!!!

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:44 pm

I just want to put the car in somewhere and have it magically fixed before MT and Le Mans....

is that too much to ask!?!?!?

Post by **simon** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:13 pm

Yes it would appear

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:15 pm

Did he say that you had play in the track rod or the track rod end?

If it's the latter I might be able to squeeze you in on Thursday evening and you can follow me over to Edinburgh and CLCM whilst I go for new tyres.

Mac

robin · Post by **robin** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:23 pm

Stephen wrote:Robin,
Fair point but I would have hoped to reuse the same TRE's and the same rack / rods with a new nylon cup.
Correct me if i'm wrong but the track rod is not a serviceable item on the elise, is it?

Surely if you're taking out the rack you're going to fit new track rod ends? It's not like they cost anything!

Anyway what I really meant was that when changing the TRE you cannot rely on it having the same offset as the old one

If you're not changing the TRE, I'll just get my coat ...

Cheers,
Robin

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:27 pm

I was planning on measuring from the chassis to the CL of the TRE and the installing the new one to the same location.

I'd still recomend a trip to CLCM though.

Mac

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:38 pm

Robin,
for me the cost of TRE's is cost price of naff all so yes I would change the lot.

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:17 am

just spoke to garage blokey again.....

he said the upper wishbone on drivers side has a little bit of movement and it is the drivers side track rod which also has movement... but not enough to warrant an MOT fail... he reckons it will be fine for MT and Le Mans .... just a bit annoying for me....

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:44 am

anyone have any suggestions for a glasgow garage who could maybe get it sorted cheaply by thursday?!??!

tried kenny brown but he ain't answering his phone!!