Lemforder track rods

Edges · Jul 14, 2013

So, as part of the suspension refresh on my car.. I bought Lemforder track rods. Fitted most the parts a few months ago and only just got round going to fit the track rods. Turns out they are wrong!! Pulled the steering rack boot back and compared the old and new items before removing anything else, the Lemforder items are sooooo much shorter than original bits (think original anyway)

The car is a FF 182 so maybe this is where it's gone wrong, the Lemforder items are 270mm end to end (rack end threads included) and the original items appear to be about 5cm longer. Anyone know what ECP are like returning parts after 4 months??

James28 · Jul 14, 2013

This is common issue for Motor Factor Track Rods.
May let you exchange but doubt they'd give you money back. Whether they even do one the correct length I don't know.

MG cup · Jul 14, 2013

As said they will give exchange (credit note) after grace period but make sure they get sent recorded as my track rods I sent back went "missing"

MKRS · Jul 14, 2013

I put lemforder rods on my phase 1, nearside rod didn't tighten to the plastic stop but that was my only 'issue', length was fine, can get you the p/n if it's any use?

James28 · Jul 14, 2013

Swede cup said:
As said they will give exchange (credit note) after grace period but make sure they get sent recorded as my track rods I sent back went "missing"

Probs best to go in branch

MG cup · Jul 14, 2013

James28 said:
Probs best to go in branch

Yeah don't have that luxury beside me.

These will fit if your struggling. Made by Firstline

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Krys_23 · Jul 14, 2013

Anyone used the SWAG one's on ebay? I payed £16 the pair, garage fitted them no problem.

Edges · Jul 15, 2013

Thanks guys, I'll pop into a ECP branch and see what they can do.. Problem is while I had the boots off I checked for play.. There is absolutely zero play in the track rods that are on the car. So don't really need to replace them.

Cup_Phil · Jul 15, 2013

Replace them anyway!

Seriously now it's stripped down that far - the ECP ones are £14 each - so £28 and half an hours work.
Mine seemed to have no play at all, when I took them off the car and looked at them in the garage they didn't seem to have any play but they were "floppy" - where the new ones were very stiff to move around.

But fitting them made my steering feel like new!

Keyser Soze · Jul 15, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
Replace them anyway!

Seriously now it's stripped down that far - the ECP ones are £14 each - so £28 and half an hours work.
Mine seemed to have no play at all, when I took them off the car and looked at them in the garage they didn't seem to have any play but they were "floppy" - where the new ones were very stiff to move around.

But fitting them made my steering feel like new!

Did you have to buy genuine seeing as the cars a cup? I didn't think cup parts were available from factors?

Lal B3N · Jul 15, 2013

I think the correct length ones are 330mm.

Cup_Phil · Jul 15, 2013

Keyser Soze said:
Did you have to buy genuine seeing as the cars a cup? I didn't think cup parts were available from factors?

No you can use the firstline ones posted a bit further up in this thread - they are the exact same length as cup ones

Edges · Jul 15, 2013

Are those first line ones the righ length for 182 FF? Or just 172 cup?

Keyser Soze · Jul 15, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
No you can use the firstline ones posted a bit further up in this thread - they are the exact same length as cup ones

Cheers Phil. Did they come from ECP? Are they listed as Cup specific or do you ask for something else?
Whos make rod end did you use and where from?

Cup_Phil · Jul 15, 2013

Edges said:
Are those first line ones the righ length for 182 FF? Or just 172 cup?

There's only 2 lengths of inner TR as far as I'm aware - those first line ones are the longer length used on the cup.
I'd suspect as your 182 is a FF it also needs the longer length so they will fit fine

Keyser Soze said:
Cheers Phil. Did they come from ECP? Are they listed as Cup specific or do you ask for something else?
Whos make rod end did you use and where from?

They're actually listed as a berlingo van I believe but just ask for them by part number FTR5277
I used the first line ones and bought them from GSF

You can buy them online though too - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FTR5277-F...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a2bf041db

Keyser Soze · Jul 15, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
There's only 2 lengths of inner TR as far as I'm aware - those first line ones are the longer length used on the cup.
I'd suspect as your 182 is a FF it also needs the longer length so they will fit fine

They're actually listed as a berlingo van I believe but just ask for them by part number FTR5277
I used the first line ones and bought them from GSF

You can buy them online though too - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FTR5277-F...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a2bf041db

Thanks for that. Did you use the FTR4984 rod ends with yours?

Cup_Phil · Jul 15, 2013

No. When I was in GSF I asked to look at the different rod ends and bottom ball joints they stocked - I ended up going for the more expensive ones they stock, I think they were TRS? I might still have the invoice at home

They just looked a lot better quality than the firstline stuff - in fact they looked better than the renault stuff I took off lol

MG cup · Jul 15, 2013

Pretty much all track rod ends that are listed against a clio 1*2 will fit all models it just depends which manufacturer is the best quality as Phil said.

Edges · Jul 15, 2013

Turns out I cant take the track rods back as ECP have a 7 day returns policy. It's been almost 4 months, oops. Anyone know what model the 270mm track rods fit, if anything?

James28 · Jul 15, 2013

But unfair they won't let you exchange

Edges · Jul 15, 2013

Only been reading through their site and a few terms and conditions :/

Cup_Phil · Jul 15, 2013

Edges said:
Turns out I cant take the track rods back as ECP have a 7 day returns policy. It's been almost 4 months, oops. Anyone know what model the 270mm track rods fit, if anything?

All the non cup 172/182's

Lal B3N · Jul 15, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
All the non cup 172/182's

They didn't fit my non cup packed 182.

mark123 · Jul 15, 2013

Those rods you have look too short to fit any 1*2. The non cup ones are only about 20mm shorter.

I'd try saying you bought them a week ago but lost the receipt, you'll probably get a credit note then.

Google the part number on them.

Edges · Jul 16, 2013

Good idea mark!! Didn't think of that haha

Keyser Soze · Jul 16, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
No. When I was in GSF I asked to look at the different rod ends and bottom ball joints they stocked - I ended up going for the more expensive ones they stock, I think they were TRS? I might still have the invoice at home

They just looked a lot better quality than the firstline stuff - in fact they looked better than the renault stuff I took off lol

Yeah your right. Best quality ones are TRW at £14.50ea at GSF. Miles cheaper than Renault parts!

Cup_Phil · Jul 16, 2013

That's it! I was close with TRS LOL

TRW - very very good quality. I actually took the renault ones back as they looked cheap compared to the TRW ones and were a LOT more money

Keyser Soze · Jul 21, 2013

Any idea if a TRW track rod is available or its first line only?

Cup_Phil · Jul 22, 2013

Track rod end - yes. Track rod inner - no

First line are the only people who make the longer one needed for a cup.

MG cup · Jul 23, 2013

I'm not sure that's true Phil, I'm sure a few more company's make them but I have yet to spend the time ordering the parts to find out, I have a hunch its just Kangoo van inners that 172 cups need. That's what them Firstline ones I gave you a number for were listed under at most places.

Tony Hunter · Jul 23, 2013

I got mine from Renault. No problem with them.

Cup_Phil · Jul 23, 2013

LOL well yes

Swede - probably the do seem to be kangoo ones but I asked ECP and GSF to cross reference the part number and all other manufacturers listed no equivalents so I'm not sure anyone other than first line make them (other than obviously Renault lol)

Lawro · Jul 23, 2013

Cup_Phil said:
LOL well yes

Swede - probably the do seem to be kangoo ones but I asked ECP and GSF to cross reference the part number and all other manufacturers listed no equivalents so I'm not sure anyone other than first line make them (other than obviously Renault lol)

FAI also make them for the Cup, ordered some from Micks Garage and they were perfect.

mark123 · Jul 24, 2013

I did look at the lemforder parts catalogue and it didn't look like they did the longer ones.

Ianboom · Jul 25, 2013

I bought some inner rods from ecp for my wife's 182, they were lemforder and about 15mm too short, so I emailed lemforder-they don't supply inner track rods for an182 clio!

I took themnback and informed ecp who still list them for the 182.

Incidentally, I replaced the inner rod on a Trophy recently, when I took it off, I couldn't feel any play, but it cured the play in the steering.

Ian.

Kelv · Jul 26, 2013

Phil, would you suspect the longer ones would be required using a DCI rack on a Trophy?
i assume the Trophy setup would be the same as a Full Fat setup.

Cup_Phil · Jul 26, 2013

I'd guess so mate yah - I think the trophy and cup packed cars all run the wider track.

Kelv · Jul 26, 2013

That's my way of thinking aswell

scotty10 · Nov 17, 2013

I may have missed it but where can i buy the longer track rods....any links?

Also does it matter what rack i have its a cup packed 182 surely its the same as all other FF 182s.....oh I'm confused lol

Tony Hunter · Nov 17, 2013

Be SM1

Lemforder track rods

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