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track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:24 pm
by T0M
1986 Mk2 Rocco'

went to replace my Front o/s/f wheel bearing today and found myself a very broken track rod end. so have ordered myself a new one from my local vw dealer.
however i cant get the sodding old one off the tie-rod. the all knowing mr haynes shows a diagram of a trackrod end with a nut on the end which you loosen then just unwind the track rod end, which is faily self explanitry. but mine has no nut as its the off side and doesnt get adjusted for tracking. i assumed its just threaded on and have carefully grinded i line down it reavealing a thread and got a plumbing spanner on the rod and molegrips on the trackrod end and got it spinning with a bit of force but it doesnt seem to be winding off... :help:

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:48 pm
by Nate
as standard, they only had 1 adjustable arm (with a removeable track rod end) and 1 solid arm. this may be where your problem lies. if so, you'll need a new arm. as far as i'm aware, they only sell the adjustable arms

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 11:04 pm
by T0M
thats what i thought but the bloke on the phone from the VW dealership seemed adamant that the rod was seperate. will find out tomorrow when the part comes in i guess

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:06 am
by Brunty
I converted my Sciroccos to adjustable on both sides a long time ago now. IIRC it's the near side that is fixed though.

I spent £100 on 2 adjustable type arms from VW, but have heard that Euro or GSF do them as well now for a lot less.

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:19 am
by Nate
T0M wrote:thats what i thought but the bloke on the phone from the VW dealership seemed adamant that the rod was seperate. will find out tomorrow when the part comes in i guess
part numbers:

adjustable tie rod 171419804

rod end balljoint 171419812

couldn't find a part umber for the non-adjustable tie rod

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:44 am
by T0M
Nate wrote:
T0M wrote:thats what i thought but the bloke on the phone from the VW dealership seemed adamant that the rod was seperate. will find out tomorrow when the part comes in i guess
part numbers:

adjustable tie rod 171419804

rod end balljoint 171419812

couldn't find a part umber for the non-adjustable tie rod

thanks guys, very helpful. is changing the tie rod an arsehole ?

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:19 pm
by MikeH
It's the O/S that's adjustable on both of my cars.

Has it got a locking nut on the end of it? You'll probably find that it's seized solid, and needs heat to shift it.

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:41 pm
by PeteGLi
Nate wrote: couldn't find a part umber for the non-adjustable tie rod
Not surprising, as non-adjustable tie rods were never supplied as a replacement part.

Re: track rod ends (silly question)

Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:07 pm
by T0M
MikeH wrote:It's the O/S that's adjustable on both of my cars.

Has it got a locking nut on the end of it? You'll probably find that it's seized solid, and needs heat to shift it.
sadly it is definately the O/S on mine other wise my car wouldnt have been jacked up in the drive way for days on end :dash: