Loose Thread Fit of Track Rod Ends
Orig. Posting Date | User Name | Edit Date |
Jan 15, 2024 05:21AM | Spitz | |
Jan 12, 2024 08:54PM | kevin in ottawa | |
Jan 12, 2024 08:53PM | kevin in ottawa | |
Jan 12, 2024 08:45PM | Whee | |
Jan 12, 2024 05:30AM | scooperman | Edited: Jan 12, 2024 05:31AM |
Jan 12, 2024 04:08AM | TK | |
Jan 11, 2024 02:36PM | kevin in ottawa | |
Jan 10, 2024 11:43PM | Alex | |
Jan 10, 2024 07:32PM | kevin in ottawa |
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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?
"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May
"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge
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I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife
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I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife
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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.
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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.
I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife
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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...
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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?
I always thought old cars were expensive......then I got an ex-wife