Track rod end seized and trackday on Friday!

[Andrew J]

Afternoon folks,

My tie rod ends have seized solid and the garage can't free them off to do the tracking but I have a trackday booked for this Friday. Is replacing the full tie rod and track rod end assembly a chewy job? I've recently replaced the control arms hence why the tracking is way out. Struggling to find a garage local that can fit me in to do the job so it's looking like I'll need to do it myself.

[raymond.harper]

I removed my tie rods a few years ago, not exactly easy, your garage should have been able to do it. Anyway, assuming the knuckle is stuck to the arm, a thread here. viewtopic.php?t=137533

[plenty]

Inner tie rod is straightforward if you have access to a lift. Might need a bit of heat to free it.

[TriggerFish]

If you did the control arms, then you've probably done the hardest part of the job - getting the track rods out of the wishbone/arm after years of getting seized in!

The job is (once jacked up, and undertray removed):

- undo the ball joint
- undo the clip holding the bellows/gaiter to the steering rack
- undo the large (36mm? I can't remember - I just used an adjustable spanner) nut on the inner track rod
- refit inner track rod
- slide over new bellows/gaiter (or reuse your old one)
- connect outer arm to inner arm
- connect ball joint to wishbone

For ease, I'd get new gaiters/clips at the same time.

Going slowly, I'd guess you'd need a 2-3 hours on axle stands, if all goes well.

If it helps - these are the ones I went with a couple of months ago, if you're looking for parts:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316127565264
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316158514024
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356457254352

[colb]

As per TriggerFish instructions, I disconnect the outer ball joint and part it with a pickle fork and some hammer blows then a good quality adjustable wrench on the inner joint flats assisted by a swift blow with a hammer to start it unscrewing. Measure length of old track rod and set replacement to same length to get the car in for tracking at a garage.

[Andrew J]

This forum never ceases to amaze me. Thank you all for the swift responses and further thanks for not jumping down my throat and telling me I should have changed the arms sooner.

I rang the local BMW indy I normally use again and they managed to squeeze me in so they have relieved me of a sum of money to free off the track rod ends and my car is back on the road. To be fair they've stripped them off, cleaned the threads, lubricated and sprayed them with some protection so I can see why 1 hours labour was charged.

Thanks again folks, keep up the good atmosphere here

[mmm-five]

This forum never ceases to amaze me. Thank you all for the swift responses and further thanks for not jumping down my throat and telling me I should have changed the arms sooner.

I rang the local BMW indy I normally use again and they managed to squeeze me in so they have relieved me of a sum of money to free off the track rod ends and my car is back on the road. To be fair they've stripped them off, cleaned the threads, lubricated and sprayed them with some protection so I can see why 1 hours labour was charged.

Thanks again folks, keep up the good atmosphere here

IDIOT!

You should have changes the arms sooner

[Ed Doe]

I can see why 1 hours labour was charged.

I'd say that's jolly reasonable tbh!

Glad you got it all sorted - make sure to get some pics and videos up of your trackday, enjoy! Which Track are you doing?

[Mr Tidy]

You were pretty lucky there!

When my car went for an alignment I ended up needing two new track rods ends and a new ball joint.

Anyway have a great day on Friday.

[brillomaster]

Normally when I go for an alignment, I end up with at least one snapped camber bolt... happened 3 times now!