hi all,

ive got a bit of a problem with my punto,

ive tried to undo the track rod ends from the upright using a wrench, was a bit tight then it went pop and now i cant undo the nut as the threaded shaft just spins,

ive got a replacement end and ive had a play with it, that spins too when i turn the nut but no where near as easily, ive tried getting an impact wrench on the old one and that doesnt work, if i impact the new end then the bolt tightens up exactley as it should

easy option would just be to chop the old end off and replace it with the new one but i cant for the life of me get the securing nut off the steering rack so im gonna send it into a garage to have them do it

just to clarify, the nut i cant move is the one that is labeled (1) in the following diagram



punto track rod ends

as it currently stands the nut is half way down the shaft of the track rod end, i need a way of tightning it to get the car to a garage, there is not allen key slot in the end of it.

should i take the steering rack out and cut the old rod end and take the whole lot to a garage?


cheers for your help everyone

matt

Put a bar against to top of the TRE and lever against something solid on the body, Then T**T... Sorry...tap it hard to reseat the taper. Keep the pressure on and TIGHTEN it with the impact gun. Run it back and forward untill it comes with plenty of easing oil. If that doesn't work get the nut hot (melts out the nylock) and try again...while its hot.

Don't pick up the nut when it comes off.

adrian

[Edited on 25/8/09 by adithorp]

Use a big lever between a convenient part of the chassis and the top of the track rod end to force the taper into the steering arm. This should prevent it turning enough to undo it.

Depending on the type of ball joint extractor you have, it may be possible to turn it upside down, put the forked end around the nut and the other on top of the track rod end and use it to force the taper into place.

[Edited on 25/8/09 by MikeRJ]

lower the car onto the ground, the weight of the car will stop it spinning.

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeR
lower the car onto the ground, the weight of the car will stop it spinning.

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dunno - but its exactly the problem i had with a mates car years ago, struggled all day. mechanic mate came over and suggested what i've just said. Did it and it worked.

Then needed to get out the ball joint extractor to split it.

(actually now wondering if we also put a jack under the joint when the car was on the ground - it was years ago)

quote:

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Originally posted by MikeR
dunno - but its exactly the problem i had with a mates car years ago, struggled all day. mechanic mate came over and suggested what i've just said. Did it and it worked.

Then needed to get out the ball joint extractor to split it.

(actually now wondering if we also put a jack under the joint when the car was on the ground - it was years ago)

---

Like above, angle grinder is the way to go!

The new TRE locking nu can be done easily because the taper will grip inside the upright.

I've often used a G-Cramp to hold it in the taper.

Steve

Agree with most methods, the problem is that it has come away from the taper you could even saw the thread off. Just make sure that you crack the locknut on the steering arm to enable you to remove the track rod end.

As already said use a lever put pressure on the taper, then you should be able to retighten it. Then clean the threads with a wire brush, then you can slacken the nut back off while you push the TRE into the socket push the TRE

Before undoing a TRE or any other bolt thread exposed to road muck it always pays to first wire brush the threads to stop the crap on the exposed thread jamming under the nut as you unscrew it.





[Edited on 25/8/09 by britishtrident]

just for the record,

ive fixed the problem, there was a load of rubbish clogged between the nylock part and the thread, so I G-clamped the TRE and burnt the nylock away with a few matches and got the impact wrench on it, would have worked fine with a normal ratchet as well I suspect

job done

moral of the story : dont be lazy and unscrew bolts over rusty threads, wire brush them first