Track rod end question?

[barriejames]

Hi the outer track rod end drivers side on my 996 twists easily by hand and rotates in the rubber ball joint about 60 degrees but does not move up and down is this normal or are there other signs of play in the track rod ends?

I was looking at my control or coffin arm as trying to cure a wandering problem and wanted to cross off all possibles. I hope this makes sense!! I recall this on a drop link some years ago which was shot ie loose in the rubber

Edited by barriejames on Wednesday 22 February 20:13

[sportsandclassic]

Hi,

Yes sounds normal, if you grab hold of the road wheel at positions 3&9 oclock then gently move side to side should have no free play at all felt. Sometimes the inner joints screwed into the steering rack can wear out.

What tyres you running?

Mike

[barriejames]

P zeros fron and rear?

[sportsandclassic]

I hate those tyres on 911 cars. They are useless.

What are the symptoms and when did it start?

[barriejames]

Car wanders over bumps and sometimes steering is pulled almost scary!! Most of the time normal. Checked control arm and noticed middle bush is torn away from housing can fit a screwdriver through where it is not sealed to control arm. I explained this on phone to indy but he said he would check it all.

[sportsandclassic]

Hi, the centre thrust bush has got holes either side to allow some movement so be careful you are not seeing that ?

[barriejames]

Thanks you know I think that iswhat I am seeing, so I will tread carefully. It does not help me diagnose the problem. I have no noises bumps etc just wandering over tram lines and sometimes a violent pull when I am pushing on??

[sportsandclassic]

What mileage and how old are tyres?

[barriejames]

62k and tyres 4-5mm

[Matt Seabrook]

Tyres age harden do you know how old the tyres are?

[barriejames]

I think no more than two years tops

[sportsandclassic]

barriejames said:

I think no more than two years tops

Get it checked out by someone who will spend the time and sort it out. Get the geometry checked if all looks good.

[barriejames]

Makes sense I was hoping to see something easy!!!Thanks for the heads up


Get it checked out by someone who will spend the time and sort it out. Get the geometry checked if all looks good.
[/quote]

[chris7676]

Just just mentioned the bush is shagged and still not sure?
It would usually be the bushes anyway in most cases.

[Ian_UK1]

Just a thought... Whilst you've got the steering arms disconnected, check there's no play in the rack ends - I've seen a couple of 996s at Center Gravity that had completely shot inner steering-arm joints. There should be some resistance to movement but it should be consistent and smooth. The steering arms should stay where you put them and not drop-down under their own weight. If the rack-ends are shot, you'll get the wandering you describe.

[sportsandclassic]

Ian_UK1 said:

Just a thought... Whilst you've got the steering arms disconnected, check there's no play in the rack ends - I've seen a couple of 996s at Center Gravity that had completely shot inner steering-arm joints. There should be some resistance to movement but it should be consistent and smooth. The steering arms should stay where you put them and not drop-down under their own weight. If the rack-ends are shot, you'll get the wandering you describe.

As I mentioned above in my posting too, get them checked as we see these joints wear out more quickly than the outers. More common failure on 997/987 cars.