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track rod extensions in mild steel?
02GF74 - 30/1/06 at 04:12 PM

is mild steel strong enough to make track rod extensions out of?

something like this:

mookaloid - 30/1/06 at 05:05 PM

Why not get someone like MK to make you some like the ones they supply with their kits, but to your dimensions?

I know you have been puzzling over this for some time now but honestly I think steering components should be made by professionals who have experince with this sort of thing.

I'm sure MK or someone like them would do this for you if you asked, and I can't believe it would cost much either.

So make the calls and sort it out properly!

Cheers

Mark

ned - 30/1/06 at 05:08 PM

turning down a bit of hex bar is favourite surely? must be the least amount of machining involved, just drill a hole one end nd then tap threads at either end!?

theres not that much to them is there.

If you haven't got the materials laying around it must be just as cheap to buy them?!

Ned.

mookaloid - 30/1/06 at 05:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ned
turning down a bit of hex bar is favourite surely? must be the least amount of machining involved, just drill a hole one end nd then tap threads at either end!?

theres not that much to them is there.

If you haven't got the materials laying around it must be just as cheap to buy them?!

Ned.


Quite right Ned. I was just worried that he maybe hadn't got the ability/experience to do this and should perhaps be getting someone else to do it.

Cheers

Mark

James - 30/1/06 at 06:03 PM

Mark,

I haven't fully read all your posts about this but just in case it's any use, GTS do two lengths of track rod extender.
One is to extend a cut down Sierra rack back to Sierra track width.

The other shorter one is (I assume) to extend an Escort rack to use on a Sierra track car. From memory it's 2-3" long.

Would either of them be any use to you?

Cheers,
James

[Edited on 30/1/06 by James]

02GF74 - 31/1/06 at 01:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
quote:
Originally posted by ned
turning down a bit of hex bar is favourite surely? must be the least amount of machining involved, just drill a hole one end nd then tap threads at either end!?

theres not that much to them is there.

If you haven't got the materials laying around it must be just as cheap to buy them?!

Ned.


Quite right Ned. I was just worried that he maybe hadn't got the ability/experience to do this and should perhaps be getting someone else to do it.

Cheers

Mark


I don't have a lathe hence the drilling and turning down is not easy to do.

yes; GT, Rally Design sell extension but these are not suitable for me; the RD Westfile one would work but I have to admit I am concerned, probably wrongly, aboout using aluminium alloy - see my other question. Also my design has longere threaded end 35 mm vs 25 mm; now I don;t need to be expert metalworker to know more threads ae stronger altouigh the expert metal workker wouold know taht after a certain numberof engaging thread, there is no more benefit so having just written that maybe 12.5 threads is plenty enough in a track rod end.

JB - 31/1/06 at 04:46 PM

If I was making the extensions I would get the hex bar turned down as per your diagram. Then drill and tap each end and put a high quality bolt thread in one end.

The only tricky part is securing the thread in the extension. I would use high strength thread locker and a lock nut.

Mild steel is fine to make them from.

John