Steering Play

[z4russ11]

Hi All,

I know there are a number of threads on here about play in the steering & I think I've decided to go down the route of new track rod ends (same as tie rods right?). I had the lower arms & bushes replaced this time last year for the MOT. When the garage gave me the car back, the tracking was out (idiots), so I took it back. I remember the garage commenting that they had to put a lot of heat on (presumably to the track rods) to correct the tracking & ever since then, there's been a slight play in the steering. This is only noticable at motorway speeds. I've heard people talk about how applying heat to the track rods can ruin the bushes - which bushes? Are these the ones on the lower arms that I had replaced or something else?

Thanks guys - any help appreciated before I start forking out £££!

 

[fixit man]

Hi All,

I know there are a number of threads on here about play in the steering & I think I've decided to go down the route of new track rod ends (same as tie rods right?). I had the lower arms & bushes replaced this time last year for the MOT. When the garage gave me the car back, the tracking was out (idiots), so I took it back. I remember the garage commenting that they had to put a lot of heat on (presumably to the track rods) to correct the tracking & ever since then, there's been a slight play in the steering. This is only noticable at motorway speeds. I've heard people talk about how applying heat to the track rods can ruin the bushes - which bushes? Are these the ones on the lower arms that I had replaced or something else?

Thanks guys - any help appreciated before I start forking out £££!

sounds like the track(Tie) rod ends to me seeing as they are the ones on the track rod, could be inner or outer though , you'll have to check or get someone else to.

I guess heat could damage them as they have nylon bushings inside but It would have to be a lot of heat for a good bit of time to do it I reckon .