W210 track rod end

[renault12ts]

I will be replacing the NS track rod end tomorrow.

I'd be grateful for any tips you may find useful.

Thanks.

 

[corned]

There's no such thing as too big a hammer.

 

[renault12ts]

There's no such thing as too big a hammer.

LOL, I have a splitter, and I've used it before.

 

[Dieselman]

Do you mean steering tracking rod, if so take careful measurement of the cast steering knuckle with respect to the tracking rod, both before and after changing the ball-joint.
Only do one than drive the car and check the steering wheel position hasn't altered, if it's still the same, the tracking hasn't altered.

 

[renault12ts]

Yes the steering rod end.

Thanks.

 

[corned]

You should be well away then. Just have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher to hand and you'll be fine.

The only trick I would add is that prior to undoing anything, I would measure the new part against the old one and ensure it is exactly the same length, i.e. same distance between the mating face (where it tightens against the locknut) and the centre axis of the swivel arm. That way you can best judge the number of turns to get it off and back on again whilst minimising the damage to the tracking.

It should be done afterwards anyway as a matter of course, but at least you can mitigate against it being really wayward by doing this simple step first!

 

[renault12ts]

Thanks...useful stuff.

 

[Dieselman]

The only trick I would add is that prior to undoing anything, I would measure the new part against the old one and ensure it is exactly the same length, i.e. same distance between the mating face (where it tightens against the locknut) and the centre axis of the swivel arm. That way you can best judge the number of turns to get it off and back on again whilst minimising the damage to the tracking.

That's why I said measure to the steering knuckle, it doesn't then matter what length the new balljoint is.