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track rod ends reducing bush
Miks15 - 12/2/10 at 08:46 PM

I have a slight problem with regards to my track rod ends. Basically im using BMW E46 front uprights, and an escort mk2 rack.

Now the BMW track rod ends dont fit my rack, and the escort tapers are to small for uprights.

Can i make some sort of spacer to go between the 2 so that i can use escort TRE's with my uprights?

It will basically just be hollow cone witht he top chopped off.

Thanks

Mikkel

James - 12/2/10 at 08:57 PM

Although I'm sure it's possible, I cant imagine it's very easy to turn up a cone!

I would have said an adapter to go between Escort track rod and the BMW balljoint would be the best way- and there's plenty of precedent as it's what people with Escort racks on Sierra track cars use!

HTH,
James

Miks15 - 12/2/10 at 09:00 PM

Yeh that was my initial thought, but the problem is the BMW track rod end is a very long peice. So there is no room between it and the escort rack.

Miks15 - 12/2/10 at 10:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
quote:
Originally posted by James
Although I'm sure it's possible, I cant imagine it's very easy to turn up a cone!

I would have said an adapter to go between Escort track rod and the BMW balljoint would be the best way- and there's plenty of precedent as it's what people with Escort racks on Sierra track cars use!

HTH,
James


Escort MK2 and Sierra track rods have the same tapers and threads.


I think what he meant was that they use the extension so that the sierra width car can use the escort rack

boggle - 12/2/10 at 11:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by James
Although I'm sure it's possible, I cant imagine it's very easy to turn up a cone!

I would have said an adapter to go between Escort track rod and the BMW balljoint would be the best way- and there's plenty of precedent as it's what people with Escort racks on Sierra track cars use!

HTH,
James





compound slide....internal and external taper....

Miks15 - 13/2/10 at 09:39 AM

quote:
Originally posted by boggle
quote:
Originally posted by James
Although I'm sure it's possible, I cant imagine it's very easy to turn up a cone!

I would have said an adapter to go between Escort track rod and the BMW balljoint would be the best way- and there's plenty of precedent as it's what people with Escort racks on Sierra track cars use!

HTH,
James


Are you saying it can be done then?




compound slide....internal and external taper....

speedyxjs - 13/2/10 at 10:15 AM

I had the same issue with my jag hubs and pug 309 rack. The lucky thing with mine is that the taper is just enough if i tighten them right up (they still have a little thread sticking out from under the locknut).

Does IVA allow modified steering arms? If so, would you be able to weld an outer section of the BMW arms to the escort ones?

Miks15 - 13/2/10 at 11:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
I had the same issue with my jag hubs and pug 309 rack. The lucky thing with mine is that the taper is just enough if i tighten them right up (they still have a little thread sticking out from under the locknut).

Does IVA allow modified steering arms? If so, would you be able to weld an outer section of the BMW arms to the escort ones?


That was another thought i had, Chopping the BMW ends off and welding on the right threaded part to fit the rack, But im worried about quality of the weld if the the ends are cast.

IVA man probably wouldnt see it anyway because it would be wrapped up anyway for radius's etc so he wouldnt know, but if i can make it strong enough it might work

rusty nuts - 13/2/10 at 12:47 PM

Welded steering is likely to be an IVA and an MOT failure

Brommers - 13/2/10 at 03:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Miks15
Yeh that was my initial thought, but the problem is the BMW track rod end is a very long peice. So there is no room between it and the escort rack.


Then chop down the Escort track rod, and re-thread it either to take an adaptor plus the BMW TRE or just the BMW TRE directly. Job done.

MikeRJ - 13/2/10 at 06:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Brommers
Then chop down the Escort track rod, and re-thread it either to take an adaptor plus the BMW TRE or just the BMW TRE directly. Job done.


The threads are rolled into the escort track rods, so you can't cut new threads of the same size as the diameter of the rod is too small. I wouldn't expect the BWM threads to be any smaller diameter than Escort ones either.

Brommers - 13/2/10 at 07:08 PM

Sure, if that's the case you'd need to make up an adaptor. OTOH, I've no idea what size the threads actually are on a BMW - it's possible they'll be smaller, albeit unlikely I accept.

Doug68 - 14/2/10 at 11:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
The threads are rolled into the escort track rods, so you can't cut new threads of the same size as the diameter of the rod is too small. I wouldn't expect the BWM threads to be any smaller diameter than Escort ones either.


That may be the case with the OEM ones but clearly on my Rally Des one they've been cut not rolled.

Clearly some adapters is what needs to be made to fix the issue though.

[Edited on 14/2/10 by Doug68]

prawnabie - 14/2/10 at 11:21 AM

Yeah on my rack the rod is the same thickness as the threads.

rusty nuts - 14/2/10 at 05:33 PM

Best bet would be to find some track rod ends with the correct taper to suit the steering arm and thread to suit the Escort rack. Try your local motor factors.

Miks15 - 14/2/10 at 05:37 PM

Ive already looked al over the place to find something suitable, but unsuccesfully.

Next time im home i will try measuring up to see if i can use some form of adaptorto use the BMW TRE's