Replacing track rods and ends.

[ben g]

Went to get a 4 wheel alignment done today and the lad said he didn't want to risk snapping the track rods as they were seized up. Supposedly quite common on BMW's so he recommended replacing them and then going back for an alignment.

I have no reason to doubt him as he didn't charge me anything for the work he already did on the rear wheels.

Question is, how much am I looking at to replace them and is it a difficult job to do on my own? Or is it best to leave it for a garage to do?

Cheers.

 

[simonlpearce]

Inner is held on with a 32mm nut that threads into the steering rack, nothing too difficult there just make sure you have a large enough adjustable spanner. Outer is bolted to the hub via a ball joint. The ball joints can be a bit of a pig to remove but easily do-able with a ball joint splitter. Cost is around £50 for both sides if you go down the Meyle HD or similar quality route IIRC.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

It's easy enough though access with a big enough spanner at the front can be difficult on ramps. I had to cut mine to get the rubber boots off, that was the only real challenge. Where the outer rod connects it's more of a wedge, splitter and sledge sorted mine out.

 

[Machine monkey]

I did mine not a tricky job. Mine where knackered after 68k miles.
We are hear to help out if you need us Ben. Give it a go if you have the tools.

 

[Jembo]

If you carefully count the rotations when you take them off & put the same back on, you can get away with having the alignment - also consider doing the drop links - Meyer do HD ones on eBay - front super easy, rears had to be cut off

 

[ben g]

I've already replaced the droplinks it needs an alignment anyway as I have been messing around with the suspension and roll bars recently.

Heres the printout done today. Lots of red :lol:



I think i'll buy the parts and then pay a garage to fit them as I don't have the knowledge or patience to do them :lol:

 

[Scooba_Steve]

If you can lift the car then it's a 2 hour job max even if you have to cut them. Don't pay someone more than an hour to do them.

 

[ben g]

Managed to get some Lemforder ones in the end.

Having had a quick look under the car, it looks as though i'm going to need some new jubilee clips. Any idea what size these are?

Realoem lists the sizes but when I looked in halfords, they were far too big compared to the ones on the car, which hold the gaitor in place.

Numbers 2 and 3 here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT52-EUR-04-2003-E85-BMW-Z4_30i&diagId=32_1371

 

[ben g]

Thought i'd follow this thread up. Replaced these today, easier job than I thought.

Couple of things:

The clips holding the dust boot on are one time use. Cable ties are a good substitute and work perfectly fine.

We couldn't get the dust boot off the tie rod so cut it in half. The tie rod and track rod end had seized, hence the need to replace them.

Get an alignment straight after. My tracking is well out and was difficult to drive home. I'll be getting it done tomorrow.

Theres a great video showing how to do the job on YouTube. Search 'E46 tie rod replacement'.

 

[k31ron]

This is on my to do list - if I ever get chance - they couldn't align mine for the same reason but it wasn't as far out as yours.

Must try and find time/inclination soon (2 hours doesn't sound too bad) and will check out the video

 

[simonlpearce]

Glad to see you got it sorted. Have also used zip ties on the dust boot on all my cars and never had one fall off, nor fail and MOT.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Thought i'd follow this thread up. Replaced these today, easier job than I thought.

Couple of things:

The clips holding the dust boot on are one time use. Cable ties are a good substitute and work perfectly fine.

We couldn't get the dust boot off the tie rod so cut it in half. The tie rod and track rod end had seized, hence the need to replace them.

Get an alignment straight after. My tracking is well out and was difficult to drive home. I'll be getting it done tomorrow.

Theres a great video showing how to do the job on YouTube. Search 'E46 tie rod replacement'.

Good lad, saved yourself a few quid

 

[EdButler]

Ive just had a similar story! Front o/s tie rod has seized with 1.5deg of Toe-In - noticed after i fitted new Mayle Wishbones/Ball joints. The Hunter Tracking place in Sheffield didn't want me to pay (i paid them some anyway!).

I've bought the full rod assembly but was a little fearful of fitting myself - thanks for the update and youtube suggestion. I was going to use my vernier caliper to estimate the same toe angle minus a few turns. The E46 forums have equations to relate thread turns into toe adjustment angles! I will be taking it back to the Hunter though...

 

[k31ron]

Just did mine, used this thread (very good)

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=779009

need to get alignment done still