Steering rack inner ball joints

[StagnJag]

Hi guys,

Just exploring my options here. My Stag failed its MOT on the track rods, but the tester said it was difficult to detect whether the movement was in the inner or outer ball joint. I am changing both outer track rod ends, although I can only detect movement in one of them. that leads me to think that the inner one on the other side might be a bit slack.

My question is, what wears? The inner ball joints don't appear slack, but do tighten up in places as you move them around. The outer half of the ball joint - from what I can see is designed as metal to metal and the inner half has a nylon/plastic cup with a spring behind it. I was expecting the metal to metal bit to be the bit that wears, but the only bits that are available are the inner cups and associated lock washers. I have ordered those bits, but the unavailability of the other bits surprises me, or do they just not wear out?

Rgds

Dave

[Seaking]

there is small metal shims that wear out as mine where shot i managed to order all the bits from peter at ld parts

[StagnJag]

Hiya,

I'm not sure those shims are still available - none of the main suppliers seem to have them, Paddocks, Rimmer Bros, Chris Wittor, LD Part, EJ Ward.

(Part No's 151856 and 151857).

I have bought the kit containing the cups and a 'backing washer', which I presume will do the job, but presumably a number of shims are needed as required to take up any slack.

Rgds

Dave

[DJT]

dave,

Two years ago I got an advisory for the same problem. Been through 2 MOTs since, at the same garage, with no mention. The recent MOT was done by the same guy who gave me the advisory two years ago! The only thing I have done meantime is grease the rack. The rack I rebuilt to change out the 'worn' one is still on the shelf ready and waiting.............

Maybe worth a few shots of grease.

[pcoleman]

just about to change the drivers side outer track rod end as I have a lot of movement there but like you, cant tell if it's all in the outer joint or in the rack, I will report back the results! my experience of changing just the nylon cups on a triumph 1300 ball joint was a complete waste of time as the play was no better with the new bits as the "ball" end is reused. without the correct shims to take out the play I think a replacement rack would be the best way to go if the rod ends don't solve it for you,let us know how you get on please.

regards. peter

[StagnJag]

Ok, I'll keep you posted.

The track rod ends are already off and the inner bits are ordered so I may as well have a go.

Dave - I'll give her a few shots of grease too, thanks for the tip off. (I think the TRE's were an advisory last year so no surprise really, especially given the mileage over the last 12 months!

Cheers

Dave

[pcoleman]

changed the track rod end today and as expected it was a CAUWOT. (complete and utter waste of time) as the play is no better, so all the play must be in the rack, well at least the time honoured method of joint splitting still works !

peter.c