This was interesting, as I planned on swapping out my MkI rack for a MkII> this year.  (along with steering arms)

Replacing the rod ends is part and parcel.

Were the ones you fitted supplied by Mini Spares Kevin?

I am going to order some more from Japan....maybe even re-grease and reinstall the old ones.

Things were touch and go after my divorce and then business partner battle......pulled thru, but sold 6 out of 7 Minis/Mokes. I did manage to keep all the Mini money.

I have 1 set of them...

A loose fitting track rod thread is dangerous; but how loose is too loose, how tight/snug is appropriate?  Difficult to describe.  The track rods are threaded 1/2" UNF.  If you purchased some new 1/2" UNF Class 1,2 and 3 bolts and nuts from a reputable aerospace fastener company, then you can quickly get a "feel" for thread fits in this size.  Without that, all you can do is compare with a known-good track rod and rod end. 

There are applications where loose thread fits are appropriate, for example where fast automated assembly and disassembly are the most important criteria. Vehicle steering components must ensure safety when tightened to specified torque; even with lubricated threads you should expect a snug fit, negligible play, before the jam nut is tightened.  

So beware of poor quality aftermarket track rod ends. The logo on the package doesnt mean much these days.  Check out that youtube video where the Mini owner shows two brand new track rod ends being taken out of identical boxes and fit-checked on his Mini steering rack and compared with the old rod end, one of the new ones is OK, fits like the original with negligible play, the other flops around even after 10 turns. Lots of junk out there, packaged same as good ones. 

In days gone by, we used Triumph Spitfire rod ends on race Minis, they were longer and had more threads and the ones from Quinton-Hazel were good quality then.  In the 70s, we converted to aerospace spherical ball rod ends.

Kev, she didn't get those beautiful doors that I sent you from Australia did she?

Thanks Alex. Hope all is good with your and Suzie.

Longtime no hear.

With only two Minis (Mini & Moke), and access to Mainly Minis and Minis Ontario FB sites, I have found lots of help online locally.

Branched into other Brit vehicles since the big sell off after my divorce. Land Rovers and Triumph Spitfires occupy a lot of my time lately.

Nice to see one of the old guard back online :)

Mildly wobbly trackrod ends aren't unusual these days, as long as they don't wobble once the locknut is tightened you should be okay; I've certainly not had any problems.

I can only assume the CNC machines making them are working on differerent tolerances to a price...

Hello All,

I have been renewing a lot of parts & pieces on my Mini over the last couple of years. Doing the work with my own little two hands instead of writing cheques and it is going pretty well.. I have learned and relearned a lot.

Issue that I'm having right now is with fitting new track rod ends.

I removed the ones that have bee on the vehicle for donkeys years. Nothing wrong with them, but I thought I would change them along with the hubs, brakes, boots, and ball joints.

What I noticed with the new track ends was a looser fit with the mating male and female threads. When screwed on, there is a wiggle present that wasn't there with the old parts. I replaced the new ones with another new set, but same looseness.

The thread on the steering rack is perfect, no wear or rust and the old ends definitely screw on and no play is felt. All this is with the locking nut still loose.


Question is, is this normal?