When I adjusted the tracking last night on the TVR one side screws in and out perfectly...

The otherside hoever obviously has a bit of a bend on it because, as you rotate the track rod you can see the rod end moving up and down slightly...

I would estimate the bend to be about 1.5cm from end to end...

now this is not an ideal situation, but am I safe to coninue using this track rod?

When I rebuilt the rack there was no evidence of any other damage... and the track rod looks ok (appart from being slightly bent..

Will this be a problem at MOT?

Don't know about you but that would play on my mind, i'd replace it, it won't take that long.

[Edited on 10/3/09 by omega0684]

To fix it, take it off, then put it under and across the chassis rails and jack it up slowly in the center of the bend. I use to bend the Landys one quite regularly and that’s how I got it straight again. They can flex if not straight, though that’s not much of a bend really

I'd replace it. I certainly wouldn't start un-bending it cos you could fatique the metal. If it's bent it might bend more during normal use resulting in your tracking going off but it's unlikely to suddenly go leaving you with only 1/2 normal steering!! This could happen if you manage to weaken (through unbending) it to the point of breaking when under compression....

he's only bending it twice...

any chance of photo showing amount of deformation?

what is price of new rod?

how difficult to replace?

in theory you should be able to unbend it; it would take quite a few cycles before the rod is seriously weakened, depending on material of course.

.... but ideally you want to replace.

I had bent rod on my kit - which was fortunate as it highlighted the rod was extended by welding on an extra bit.

I fixed it by buying a RD quick rack ..... then a little while later managed to get a pair of rods at a jumble for pennies but too late by then.

[Edited on 10/3/09 by 02GF74]

Replace it exhange rack required --- even a slight bend in a slender strut in compression weakens it tremendously. It is likely to be a Triumph Herald part

A new rod is about £55.... Its not noticeable in a photo....


Will leave it for now and see what happens at MOT... no doubt she will fail on a few other things anway