Changing track rod - valver

[Matteh]

Im trying to change the NS track rod as mines bent (not the track rod end)


but.. how the hell do you unscrew it from the rack? theres no notches or anything on it?

 

[ben_p]

isnt that the driveshaft ?

 

[Matteh]

no

u can see the rear of the wishbone in the bottom left of the pic...

 

[ben_p]

mybad. the pic makes it look HUGE

 

[Matteh]

its fairly sizeable... u can see the thin end at the bottom right of the pic where the track rod end screws in to

 

[Mike@Rentech]

You need a special tool for it, but if you have not got one then a decent pair of mole grips will do.

 

[Matteh]

cheers


looking at it from that angle, it unscrews counterclockwise yeh?

I can get it to turn a few degrees back and forth quite easily - but refuses to go any more

also, there appears to be some sort of ring on the inner end that can rotate freely (with mole grips) but doesnt unscrew or unclip etc... is that right?


is it a renault only tool?

 

[Mike@Rentech]

unscrew it, it has a retaining ring that is one way, with the new track rod you should get a new one so dont worry about breaking the old one.

 

[Matteh]

buuump


I've tried 'unscrewing' it both ways

doesnt unscrew, only rotates :|

 

[Matteh]

buuump

 

[TomTom]

Matteh as Mike said you need to unscrew it where it joins the rack, if its spinning your more than likely turning the wrong part - the control arm itself. If you imagine the arm has a ball on the end, you need to undo the 'socket' bit. I imagine on a valver it's gonna have been on 10+ years so it'll be well tight.

Far left bit you want to turn, the arm will just spin.
http://www.fordprobestore.co.uk/store/images/trackrod1.jpg

 

[Matteh]

I am - and its not shifting


gonna change the whole rack tbh

 

[TomTom]

Too tight? Mixed with can't get arms/hands in and can't get enough leverage?

Worth taking it to a garage, let them crack them off, tighten them back up and try again?