hmmm, looked at my rack again and can't use the extension track rod pieces.*

I need to find track rod ends (cortina uprights) that have about 20 mm longer threaded part - do these exist? (escort mk2 rack)

Possible alternative:
a) rose joint; would require to find taper part to fit the steering arm and a way of connecting to the track rod (could be a tube with 2 different threads since most rose joints appear to be imperial thread)
b) make an extension piece - would involve shortening the track rods; extending the thraed on them then screw on the extension - do these extensions exist? anyone know of someone/company that would do some lathe work?

* I may be able to use one but the steeering would not be central so not ideal.

looking for something like this: alfa 155

cf. mk 2 escort:

[Edited on 15/1/06 by 02GF74]

I think that I had the same problem as you where once I had fitted my MKII escort steering rack in conjunction with my Sierra up-rights; I only had about 15mm (ish) of thread engagement in the track rod ends. This is how I solved my issue.

1.) I cut off the threaded part of the steering rack ends.

2.) I then cut a new thread on the basic bar which was left. From memory the bar is a smaller diameter that the original threads. I used 1/2 UNC.

3.) From some 19mm HEX bar I made 2 custom extension bars. With a female end (1/2 UNC) and a male end M14 which suited my track rod ends.

4.) The adjustment is done using the 1/2 UNC end and locked with a 1/2 UNC nut, as the M14 end is done tight and loc-tight’ed in position.

Hope this gives you some ideas

Cheers,

Blue H.....

Just found a picture on darrens site of GTS how does this look, will you let me how you get on as you know I have a vested interest on these bits




Picy

Couldn't find any info on this part code though, hoping that they really are GTS-2501 at £16 , (hope that's for the pair ) Hopefully the thread goes right to the bottom, you could then just cut to length.

Cheers

Rich


[Edited on 15/1/06 by RichardK]

[Edited on 15/1/06 by RichardK]

GTS do make track rod extentions, but I think they will be way too long for your application.

David

[Edited on 15/1/06 by flak monkey]

Nice one David, Do you think it would be ok to cut the gts ones down if they are too long?

Failing that Blue Hurricane's suggestion looks good.

[Edited on 15/1/06 by RichardK]

As it happens, I did initially purchase some GTS extension bars. For my application 'Book Chassis, Luego wishbones, Sierra uprights & MKII escort steering Rack’ They were to long, Hence why I had to make my own.

Cheers,

Blue H.....


PS. The female Thread doesn't go all the way!, I shall find them tomorrow and get a dimension for you, for the depth of the female thread.

[Edited on 15/1/06 by Blue Hurricane]

Internal thread on GTS ones measuers 50mm.

Theres no reason why you couldnt trim them down and cut more thread inside them, but you would need a lathe to do it. In which case you may as well get a bit of EN16T and make some yourself.

David

[Edited on 15/1/06 by flak monkey]

True, I'm with the hex bar on this one !

Thanks guys

R

I'm in the same boat
My MkII Escort rack only engages about 15mm into the TREs with zero toe.
I initially thought about re-threading the track rods but previous posts suggested this was an SVA fail as was extending with welded sleeves due to issues with structural integrety. However I believe the GTS extensions are made from aluminium alloy. Surely these will be weaker than either of the above options.

Confused

Mick

Rally Design list a steering conversion set using rod ends and an adaptor to fit the steering arm but at £110+Vat its a bit OTT. Did consider using a similar set up if I found excessive bump steer on my car , it would have allowed the track rod to connect to the top of the steering arm and kept the track rods in a straighter line if that makes sense

quote:

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Originally posted by Mix
However I believe the GTS extensions are made from aluminium alloy. Surely these will be weaker than either of the above options.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Mix
I'm in the same boat
My MkII Escort rack only engages about 15mm into the TREs with zero toe.
I initially thought about re-threading the track rods but previous posts suggested this was an SVA fail as was extending with welded sleeves due to issues with structural integrety. However I believe the GTS extensions are made from aluminium alloy. Surely these will be weaker than either of the above options.

Confused

Mick

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quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74
hmmm, looked at my rack again and can't use the extension track rod pieces.*

I need to find track rod ends (cortina uprights) that have about 20 mm longer threaded part - do these exist? (escort mk2 rack)

snip
[Edited on 15/1/06 by 02GF74]

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Due to the track rods engaging about 10 mm into the tre, then it is not possible to use the GTS/RD extensions.

I would need to cut my track rods down, then re thread.

I measured the track rods, threaded and plain and it is 14 mm so running a die over them should not be impossible.

Ideally I do not want to be cutting the track rods so the best solution is to fit tre with londer threded shanks (or whatever it is they are called).

If Ford sierra is about 20-30 mm longer, then that is sorted!!

Another idea I though about is taking apart track rod ends; 2 (or 3) things need to match:
1. diameter or thread part
2. dimensions of tapered joint

There may a tre with the right thread but wrong tapered part. By removing the pressed incover, I could take the tapered bit out and replace with escort. Can't see why that won't work? Unless there is a ball/socket size mismatch?

quote:

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Originally posted by britishtrident

quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74

I need to find track rod ends (cortina uprights) that have about 20 mm longer threaded part - do these exist? (escort mk2 rack)

snip
[Edited on 15/1/06 by 02GF74]

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Ford Sierra

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Renault track rod ends have long male thread, it could be worthwhile looking at them. Getting a piece of hex threaded all the way through must be an easier proposition than internal one end and external the other. Cut the thread to the length you need, if it's the right thread.

[Edited on 16/1/06 by Peteff]

Completely impossible to increase the threaded length on Escort MK2 rack track rods by cutting threads with a die

I was thinking about cutting off the M14? thread and rethreading the plain bar with an appropriate thread, then making extensions to suit.

Mick

quote:

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Originally posted by Mix
Completely impossible to increase the threaded length on Escort MK2 rack track rods by cutting threads with a die

Mick

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I mean to use a hexagonal bar made into a tube nut with one end screwed onto the track rod and a male thread track rod end screwed into the other end. If the male thread is too long, hacksaw the end off it to a suitable length. That shouldn't affect the strength of the part.

quote:

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Originally posted by Peteff
I mean to use a hexagonal bar made into a tube nut with one end screwed onto the track rod and a male thread track rod end screwed into the other end. If the male thread is too long, hacksaw the end off it to a suitable length. That shouldn't affect the strength of the part.

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Just to play devils advocate...........what exactly is wrong with welding on longer trackrods?


If it were me I would cut the std trackrods right down, remove them from the rack, stick em in the lathe and turn then to a suitable diameter, rethread them 1/2" UNF, then make new trackrods from CDS tube, with 1/2" UNF threads tapped each end and use rose joints at the outer ends.

I have modded cortina uprights to do this before. Either make a taper pin as you said, or make a "top hat" adaptor to go on top of the steering arm and a threaded boss to go underneath, bolt the whole lot up through the steering arm hole and weld the bosses in place on the steering arm. Then hold the rose joint on with a caphead bolt screwed through and into the new boss.

Pardon the dirty condition but here's such a mod done on my grasser!



grassersteer2

I'm not making it, but I know a man who can . There must be lots of lathe operators near you who can do the job.

quote:

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Originally posted by flak monkey
I believe that the GTS extensions are made from EN16T. At least thats what the description used to say, but I see its been changed now.

I doubt Darren would be silly enough to make extensions out of ally.

David

PS I know theres a pair on eBay at the moment that says they are ally, but they arent....

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anyone tried using ford transit track rod ends or got a set to hend to measure - been suggested they might be a possibility:



heres hoping....

quote:

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Originally posted by 02GF74
anyone tried using ford transit track rod ends or got a set to hend to measure - been suggested they might be a possibility:

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Take it you're not anywhere near Leicester??? I can sort the job for you if you are.