Track rod end slight play - quoted £125?

[S6_Longy]

Hi all,

I sent my 182 to Renault yesterday for a service and i've been warned of a few faults from their customary VH check.

The main concern i have is that they've identified 'slight play in the n/s/f track rod end, and with that have quoted me a staggering £125 to repair.

Having looked on Eurocarparts i see there are pattern parts costing up to £20 and have received a quote from an independant garage to replace the part at £78.

I told Renault this who then informed me on the phone that because it's a sport, the pattern part wont be able to handle the power.

Sorry i've rambled a bit, there are basically 2 questions i'm asking here:

1) If i have slight movement in the track rod end - should i worry about having it replaced yet?
2) Are renault talking c**p and a pattern part will be more than capable?

Any help would be appreciated.

​Dave.

 

[Edges]

Slight play wouldn't be much to worry abou but yes.. Think about changing them when you get chance. Lemforder parts are more than capable and I have them on mine. Pay £20 a side, I like to do these in pairs! Fit yourself and pay £30 for wheel alignment after!

 

[Thrill]

Don't send your 182 to Renault in future, take it to a Specialist on here.. they don't charge silly prices and are better than Renault.

 

[Chip-mk1]

The issue with pattern ones isnt that they cant handle the power, its that either they arent the correct length or they wear out too quickly.

A big chunk of the cost is having to redo the tracking afterwards as well.

125 isnt ridiculous given what main dealer hourly rates are etc, but obviously would be far cheaper not at a main dealer but it seems pointless me saying that really as that is almost always true of anything they do or sell as they have huge overheads that pattern part places dont.

Try Mike and James in staines (S&MWM on here) for a sensible price with suitable quality parts fitted.

 

[Fred@BTM]

LOL anyone would think Renault themselves make the parts! In truth the parts are made FOR Renault by someone such as TRW, Febi Bilstein, Lemforder etc, never heard so much b****cks in my life!

take the clutch for example

Renault clutch (made by Valeo) - £175
Valeo clutch (same thing not in a Renault box) - £100

brake pads

Renault pads (made by Ferodo) - £50
Ferodo pads (same thing without Renault markings) - £20

 

[v16daf]

I just get bits form Rollings in Wrexham. Sod paying Renault prices! They work fine

 

[Chip-mk1]

Yeah aftermarket are fine so long as its the right aftermarket, as Fred says renault dont actually make these bits anyway.

 

[stevescort172]

Use the lemforder one from ecp good quality.

Cost 14.10 each side, I replaced mine as a pair

 

[Cup_Phil]

As fred said - I bought TRW track rod ends for my car and they are absolutely identical to the renault stuff - quarter of the price

They also work fine on my 200bhp track car - so I'm sure the extra power of your sport will be ok lol

 

[S6_Longy]

Thanks you for all your input/advice.

I'll be pressing forwards with getting the replacement Lemforder part, but i won't be fitting it as mechanical gubbins really isn't my forte.