Tie rod

[chriz1]

Trying to adjust the tracking on my car but the tie rod where you adjust is rounded what's best to use tried a smaller spanner but slips.

[b2hbm]

It's no doubt classed as a bodge, but in such circumstances can you use a self-grip wrench - the "mole wrench" type of thing ? That's what I do.

brian

[PaulKemp]

Or file/grind a flat and use a smaller imperial spanner

[phillpot]

PaulKemp said:

Or file/grind a flat and use a smaller imperial spanner

Would a metric spanner work?

[chriz1]

Unfortunately not think I may try some pipe grips on it

[Jimmyarm]

Use a decent pair of mole grips (Irwin vice grips are good). You want the type with flat rather than round/oval jaws.

The flat bits are useful when the tie rod is fairly new but they only usually accept a 13mm spanner size, a 13mm spanner on it's on has no hope in hell of budging a slightly siezed tie rod, hence them being rounded off

[4G63T]

wack a 1mm smaller socket onto it then undo it with that?

if you can get another one, what about one of those tools that undo bolts/nuts that tighten up the more you turn it, cannot remember the name but it basically undoes anything that is rounded/nackered, but you will need another nut/bolt/what ever, after you have taken it off with this.


or weld a bolt/nut onto the end you are trying to undo, then undo that, but that will still require a new track rod end.

[4G63T]

wack a 1mm smaller socket onto it then undo it with that?

if you can get another one, what about one of those tools that undo bolts/nuts that tighten up the more you turn it, cannot remember the name but it basically undoes anything that is rounded/nackered, but you will need another nut/bolt/what ever, after you have taken it off with this.


or weld a bolt/nut onto the end you are trying to undo, then undo that, but that will still require a new track rod end.