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Track rods/tie rods

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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dhobbs
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by dhobbs » Mon May 21, 2018 1:04 pm

So I had my alignment done recently and they couldn't adjust the front toe because the tie rod adjusters were seized.

Now is it worth getting new tie rods or try to free up the existing ones?

Bearing in mind the car has done 105k is it worth doing it for preventative maintenance?

I want to get the RTABs done too even though they look fine.

Daz
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive :driving:
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds :thumbsup:

mjennings23
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by mjennings23 » Mon May 21, 2018 1:37 pm

Might as well get new ones at that mileage, mine were slightly less and the ball joints were incredibly loose once removed.

Lemforder or Meyle for parts, I'd be inclined to go Lemforder as they made the OEM parts. If they've lasted 100k miles then they make them right!

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ben g
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by ben g » Mon May 21, 2018 2:06 pm

Had the same problem with mine a couple of years ago. The alignment guy said it's better to just get new ones as they aren't expensive and quite simple to fit.

I went for Lemforder and had no problem getting my front toe adjusted last week :thumbsup:
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

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dhobbs
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by dhobbs » Mon May 21, 2018 3:50 pm

Cheers guys, saw them on eBay and aren't expensive.
3.0si roadster. Requisite stubby. Sound gen mod. LED numberplate lights. LED boot strip. Interior lights LED too. ZHP gearknob. Daily drive :driving:
Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds :thumbsup:

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alane29
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by alane29 » Tue May 22, 2018 7:59 am

not worth struggling with ,i had to use the grinder to remove mine they were solid
2007 E86 M Coupe
2005 E85 2.5SE

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Ewazix
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by Ewazix » Tue May 22, 2018 9:30 am

Same with mine which were easily replaced. According to the alignment tech it's a 50/50 bet on a track rod end being seized on most 3 series based models over 10 years old. Usually the nearside, down to gutter mess maybe? :?
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
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Sohailnisar
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by Sohailnisar » Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:38 am

Hi guys - I've got the same issue - told I need steering track rods and steering tie rod ends.
From what I've read - I should purchase Lemforder ones.

Can anyone point me in the direction of the best place to buy these? And also the correct part numbers.

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ben g
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by ben g » Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:40 pm

I bought mine from GSF carparts who were the cheapest place I could physically go and pick them up from. Didn't want to wait around for ebay stuff.

Just checked and GSF don't seem to stock Lemforder ones anymore.

Carparts4less have the entire track rod assembly for both sides available for £96.71 :thumbsup:
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

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bazza190
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by bazza190 » Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:50 pm

Guy who done my alignment says they are bad for it. One of mine was seized but he used an induction heater on it and freed it. Would reckon that would be easier and cheaper than replacing if they are otherwise ok.
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Sohailnisar
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by Sohailnisar » Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:10 pm

ben g wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:40 pm I bought mine from GSF carparts who were the cheapest place I could physically go and pick them up from. Didn't want to wait around for ebay stuff.

Just checked and GSF don't seem to stock Lemforder ones anymore.

Carparts4less have the entire track rod assembly for both sides available for £96.71 :thumbsup:
You legend!
Thank you very much.

Did you do any other work while you were there? Drop links?

Johnr32
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by Johnr32 » Fri Mar 15, 2019 3:51 pm

Sohailnisar wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:10 pm
ben g wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:40 pm I bought mine from GSF carparts who were the cheapest place I could physically go and pick them up from. Didn't want to wait around for ebay stuff.

Just checked and GSF don't seem to stock Lemforder ones anymore.

Carparts4less have the entire track rod assembly for both sides available for £96.71 :thumbsup:
You legend!
Thank you very much.

Did you do any other work while you were there? Drop links?
I would if the mileage is high. Drop links are usually about £30-40 for Meyle HD ones so pretty cheap tbh
Last edited by Johnr32 on Fri Mar 15, 2019 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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ben g
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Track rods/tie rods

Post by ben g » Fri Mar 15, 2019 3:53 pm

Sohailnisar wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:10 pm
ben g wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:40 pm I bought mine from GSF carparts who were the cheapest place I could physically go and pick them up from. Didn't want to wait around for ebay stuff.

Just checked and GSF don't seem to stock Lemforder ones anymore.

Carparts4less have the entire track rod assembly for both sides available for £96.71 :thumbsup:
You legend!
Thank you very much.

Did you do any other work while you were there? Drop links?
No problem. Carparts4less are online only, but run by the same people as eurocarparts, so you've got no worries ordering from them. They deliver quite quickly also.

I replaced my droplinks with meyle HD items. They are also very reasonably priced. I previously purchased some generic no named ones from ebay and they lasted 12 months before they were deemed not road worthy during an inspection :oops: so definitely go for a reputable brand such as Meyle or Lemforder with these.
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

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