Hi All,

I am trying to get a new track rod end in a track rod that has been in the garden for a while. The threads are 11/16 unf normal and left hand, and taps for these are not easy to come by. Anyone got any tips for cleaning up internal threads like this.

It gets about a quater of the the way done then just locks up.

Any suggestions welcome

Stu

do you have an old screw or similar with the correct thread that you could cut a gash in to make it a little tap like?

That or soak in vinegar.

[Edited on 15/5/07 by JoelP]

Small wire brush on a Dremel

yep cut grooves down a bolt.

You could always pop it in a vice and leave some wd40 in there before hand to soften/loosen any crud before running a modified bolt (as mentioned above) down the hole.

Ned.

yep, groovy bolt, though 11/16 UNF is a pretty stock size, in fact if you are doing a scratch build (haven't looked to see what you are up to! ) then you will want a tap anyway as 11/16" UNF is stock seatbelt bolt thread size.

11/16" UNF is a pretty large thread, not sure I have ever seen one if it exists. 11/16 "AF" spanner size is normally a 7/16" UNF thread which seems very small for a track rod? Are you confusing spanner size with thread size?

bloody good point! I do apologise, for some reason I can't tell the difference between 11/16 and 7/16, you're quite right, i meant 7/16 is common!!!!

Wish I read posts sometimes, ignore my useless ramblings!

I am using it on a Land rover type motor. To the best of my knowledge they are 11/16. I will try cutting a groove in an old track rod and running that down, good idea...

Landy