Steering arms

Author
Discussion

chris_speed

Original Poster:

308 posts

270 months

Thursday 5th May 2011
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Hi chaps/chappesses, currently taking my suspension apart to get all the bits powdercoated, and the above items are covered in rust so would rather ruin the effect if I didn't do those as well. Seems the balls at one end won't come out of the steering rack though - how's it done? The nuts under the gaiters seem a very odd size and look like they may not turn.

Car is a 1994 S3 K Series.

Chris.

David Long

1,224 posts

186 months

Friday 6th May 2011
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From memory, there's a nut that is locked with a punch mark. You really need to dismantle the rack by removing the pinion and pinion bearing(s)so you can grip the rack - but this is getting a little specialised unless you are up for this sort of thing. If you are then I've got some photos I can post that might help.

mickrick

3,705 posts

180 months

Friday 6th May 2011
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I think the title should read "Track rods" tongue out
Sorry for being pedantic. wink

EFA

1,656 posts

270 months

Saturday 7th May 2011
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On some racks there is a hole drilled between the ball retainer and locknut in to which a pin (or its is sometime threaded with a very fine (2BA?)bolt inserted to prevent these two parts becoming loose.

I know the steel bodied rack is a bit pof a pig. The later Caterham branded alloy racks are easier to work with.

As for spanners, you need a big (circa 2" AF) adjustable. Its easier to take the rack out of the car to do any of this.


chris_speed

Original Poster:

308 posts

270 months

Saturday 7th May 2011
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Ta chaps. David, if you could post up your pictures, it would be appreciated.

chris_speed

Original Poster:

308 posts

270 months

Monday 9th May 2011
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Bump...

How else do people polish their rods when they go rusty though chaps?

Dave J

894 posts

273 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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emery cloth

David Long

1,224 posts

186 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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chris_speed said:
Ta chaps. David, if you could post up your pictures, it would be appreciated.
Sorry Chris missed that first time round. I can't find the picture of the ball ends I was thinking about, but let me look again and see what I've got . . . .

EFA

1,656 posts

270 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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These look good with polished rods! Bulk Buy on BC.

mic

376 posts

240 months

Tuesday 10th May 2011
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Cover the rods with heatshrink.

David Long

1,224 posts

186 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
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David Long said:
Sorry Chris missed that first time round. I can't find the picture of the ball ends I was thinking about, but let me look again and see what I've got . . . .
Chris, I've searched for the photos but can only find one of the teeth on the rack itself which probably is not much use to you. I took the photos to record accident damage but must have deleted the ones that weren't relevant. - Sorry, should have checked before I posted.

Edited by David Long on Tuesday 17th May 08:50

chris_speed

Original Poster:

308 posts

270 months

Wednesday 18th May 2011
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That's no problem David - thanks for taking the effort to look.

jdh51

3 posts

182 months

Thursday 14th July 2011
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I know I will get picked on for adding weight, but I just sleeved mine with stainless tubing that was polished -- always look good.

As for the rosejoint ends, I would skip the bulk buy as £150 for those joints is a bit much, I think a bit too much profit in them. The ones I have here cost me £60 for both sides from a company that makes rose joints for cars and are more substantial. Best part is the replacements when they wear out is ab out £20 a side as the custom made adjuster (lets you adjust without removing the wheel) would not need replacing.