Track rod ends

[Osprey6010]

Replacing the track rod ends as the ball joints are screwed, and just wanted to make sure I was doing things right.

As far as I can tell, the track rod screws into the inner tie rod (where my maul grips are), and has prongs which are clamped down by the nut and washer. I think I'm right in thinking that to replace them, I can either unscrew the track rod end, or to make it easier I can screw the nut and washer towards the centre of the car to release some pressure from the track rod.

If I've got any of this wrong let me know.

I've tried both now and cannot get anything to move. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or is it just easier to replace the inner rod as well at the steering rack.

 

[enuff_zed]

I must admit I've given up ever trying to separate the two halves now.
Simpler to replace the whole lot, inner and outer.

 

[caius]

Looking at that it'll be easier to replace both. You could try heat and/or PlusGas to get them to move but they often won't. (My previous alignment place refused to touch BMWs unless they'd both been replaced recently.)

I found ordering Delphi parts saved me a bunch over anything BMW-branded and they looked identical when I fitted them. Alignment didn't take long either once they were easy to adjust.

 

[Cv6benplus]

I have this same job to do on my Z4. Outers only.

 

[Osprey6010]

Yep I've been trying now for a few hours, lots of heat, lots of swearing.

Might just be easier to replace both inner and outer

 

[MikeyH]

When I had my tracking done, the chap had to use heat and a lot of swearing to make them move.

 

[smorris_12]

I've done my own tracking for years so I don't gorilla the clamp ring down like a garage will and even when I've replaced both halves and slathered the join in copper grease, a few years later I've found them where it's needed a bit of a blast from the blow torch to shift things again.

So they do like to bind up, even if you're careful. Separating ones attacked by a fitter using it as a Test-Your-Strength machine or where they've blown the zinc plating off with oxy-acetalin? No chance!

 

[colb]

Absolutely replace inner and outers no point in wasting time trying to undo the clamp nuts your on a hiding to nothing trying to get them apart.

 

[Mr Tidy]

When I took my car to a BMW Indy for an alignment in 2021 they were seized solid and wouldn't move whatever they tried, so they both got replaced.

TBF they had probably been on the car 15 years by then!