Inner track rods

[Edges]

I've been reading about and buying parts for a whole suspension refresh. Was wondering if inner rods are actually vital and what about them wears out??

I read they're a pain to change so if they're not absolutely needed I won't bother.

Thanks

 

[dave438]

The inner balljoint wears out, if there is play in them and you dont change them your car wont ever handle right. Changing is a doddle with the correct tools.

 

[Edges]

The correct tools that cost around £50??

how can I tell if the inners are worn?

 

[Cup_Phil]

What mileage has the car done?

They are actually a serviceable part and yeah dead easy to do with the right tools for £50 but then you need tracking done which is another £30-40
I'd probably just pay a garage to do them

 

[Chip-mk1]

The correct tools that cost around £50??

how can I tell if the inners are worn?

Yes mate, thats right its only about 50 quid for the tool.

To check it jack the car up, bull the boot back, go to steer the road wheel (leave steering lock on so the rack wont move) and feel for play in the joint as you do it.

For the price of a couple of tanks of fuel its well worth doing IMHO

 

[Edges]

Car is about on 70k,

I've bought cup wishbones, wishbone poly bushes, ball joints, 595 RSR tyres and camber bolts! Plan to buy rod ends, rack bushes, arb bushes, pms top mounts and brace, fit all at the same time and get a hunter system done on it. Just wasn't sure if I needed inner rods :/

 

[Chip-mk1]

If you are doing all that lot, it would be a real shame to leave any play in the rods if they do have any.

Once you have the track rod ends off anyway to change them, you can just push and pull and wiggle about the rod and easily feel for play, its much easier to check that way.

 

[Edges]

Fair point chip!! How hard is it to change rods without this special tool?? Don't wanna spend £50 on something to use it once you know! Also, gone for lemforder ball joints.. Will their rods and rod ends be up to the task?

 

[Chip-mk1]

I normally use genuine renault so cant comment, but probably.

you can do it with a chopped about 32mm (iirc) spanner, just a bit fiddle where as with the proper tool its literally just a few seconds a side.

 

[Budgie]

PM Nick172cup. He's got a set of balljoints and tie rods that are about 500 miles old.

Re: swapping them, 32mm spanner shaved down with a grinder does the job perfectly.

 

[Edges]

How'd you mean shaved down? Any pics?

Lemforder are around £90 for inners and rod ends from ECP. What's the price difference for genuine parts?

 

[Budgie]

You make the actual tool thinner. If you search for a 32mm viscous spanner, it needs to be similar width to that.

Easy to do.

 

[Chip-mk1]

You need to narrow the outside of the jaw so it can get in there.

Cant remember prices now, dont think it was much more than that, email/call Adam.

 

[MG cup]

Lemfoder is a good make. I have used a good set of water pump pliers and stilson's before to do them so the 32mm tools not critical although I got one. Aftermarket parts are usually a different sized knuckle so the tool is useless.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Lemfoder is a good make. I have used a good set of water pump pliers and stilson's before to do them so the 32mm tools not critical although I got one. Aftermarket parts are usually a different sized knuckle so the tool is useless.

Yes that is true, you need a bigger one for the aftermarket, although in reality if you are removing standard and replacing with aftermarket you can do it all on one tool as it will grip more than well enough to install the aftermarket ones, you just might have trouble when it comes to removing them again unless you buy the next size up.

 

[Edges]

You make the actual tool thinner. If you search for a 32mm viscous spanner, it needs to be similar width to that.

Easy to do.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...&productId=214258&categoryId=165469&langId=-1

this what you mean??? Until I searched I thought you meant shave the other way haha.

 

[Budgie]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...&productId=214258&categoryId=165469&langId=-1

this what you mean??? Until I searched I thought you meant shave the other way haha.

That's probably do the job nicely.

 

[Chri5]

Just use one of those viscous fan spanners, did the job fine. Obviously not a few seconds but they're not as bad as everyone makes out. Mine was about 8quid from a land rover place

 

[Edges]

You need to narrow the outside of the jaw so it can get in there.

Cant remember prices now, dont think it was much more than that, email/call Adam.

​have you got a email address for Adam at Renault, chip??

 

[Chip-mk1]

Yes mate, its adam.greenhouse@renault.co.uk

Will fire you a PM as well so you have it saved as a reference.

 

[Edges]

Thanks man!! Very helpful forum this!!

 

[Chip-mk1]

No problem.

 

[Edges]

Incase it's required, anyone around the south Leicestershire area have one of the special tools mentioned I could borrow?