?Bend track rod and end?

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top-cat said:
so much heat has been applied to replace the ball joint is has softened the bar. i wouldnt min betting that the steering is getting slowly worse and the bar could bend a whole lot more. I would there fore take it back to the garage that carried out the work and state that in using so much heat they have weakened the bar and made the vehicle now unsafe.
Try threatening with trading standards. any steering component that is not as should be is dangerous, none of the steering arms should be bent, and even if they claim the bar was bent before they should not have changed an end on it and let you drive away like that
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Hi Top Cat, I do think the ball joint end piece has definiately bent since it was fitted, I'm sure it was straight when they first put it on (incidentally it was changed because the other one was loose and worn, but I don't remember the old end piece being bent like this one now is). As for the drag link rod I didn't notice if it was bent or not, but it probably was. I don't know whether to go back to the same garage or take it to a Land Rover specialist instead, there are a couple nearby. I've only had the Disco since October and I'm getting so fed up with its problems already that I'm considering getting another Hilux Surf instead, as they seem more robust and have better acceleration speed!!
 
personally id stick with landrover but thats just my oppinion.
I cant tell whether the ball joint is new it doesnt look like it. it could be that it has been heated to loosen the bar for adjustment, but as others have pointed out that isnt where you would track it anyway and is why your steering wheel is off center.
the heat has softened the metal and if driving offroad in ruts say and you turn against the ruts to the left you could end up bending it like a bannana and possibly losing full lock.
I used to bend bars off road front and rear steering bars but now have h/d and guards.
If you intend off roading i would fit h/d anyway there not to expensive depending on where and what you buy.
if you put on your profile where your from im sure someone on here could lend a hand tracking it up for you or at least point you in the right dirrection
 
top-cat said:
so much heat has been applied to replace the ball joint is has softened the bar. i wouldnt min betting that the steering is getting slowly worse and the bar could bend a whole lot more. I would there fore take it back to the garage that carried out the work and state that in using so much heat they have weakened the bar and made the vehicle now unsafe.
Try threatening with trading standards. any steering component that is not as should be is dangerous, none of the steering arms should be bent, and even if they claim the bar was bent before they should not have changed an end on it and let you drive away like that
Click to expand...

Thank you Top Cat, I am very angry with the garage, especially the fact that they won't acknowledge that there is a problem with it, that they have probably caused.
 
top-cat said:
personally id stick with landrover but thats just my oppinion.
I cant tell whether the ball joint is new it doesnt look like it. it could be that it has been heated to loosen the bar for adjustment, but as others have pointed out that isnt where you would track it anyway and is why your steering wheel is off center.
the heat has softened the metal and if driving offroad in ruts say and you turn against the ruts to the left you could end up bending it like a bannana and possibly losing full lock.
I used to bend bars off road front and rear steering bars but now have h/d and guards.
If you intend off roading i would fit h/d anyway there not to expensive depending on where and what you buy.
if you put on your profile where your from im sure someone on here could lend a hand tracking it up for you or at least point you in the right dirrection
Click to expand...

Hi again Top Cat, the ball joint was definitely new and sparkling as I checked it when they replaced it. I was shocked to see how old and decrepit and bent it looked when I checked it again yesterday. I took it to another place (recommended by the garage) for the tracking, so I don't know who the culprit was regarding the heating up of the rod. I don't off-road as such, but I have to drive along a pot holey farm track to get to my horse (yes I'm female) and sometimes I go up a steep rubbly cobbly road that is more like a river bed - I'm going to avoid this one from now on though if possible. I'm in Tameside in Greater Manchester. Thanks for your advice.
 
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:blabla:pS: I have a horse, but I am not rich, I am poor :( lol believe me, I scrimp and scrape to keep my horse and myself, so I don't want to be ripped off by garages - who does! :)
 
Greenbean said:
Hi again Top Cat, the ball joint was definitely new and sparkling as I checked it when they replaced it. I was shocked to see how old and decrepit and bent it looked when I checked it again yesterday. I took it to another place (recommended by the garage) for the tracking, so I don't know who the culprit was regarding the heating up of the rod. I don't off-road as such, but I have to drive along a pot holey farm track to get to my horse (yes I'm female) and sometimes I go up a steep rubbly cobbly road that is more like a river bed - I'm going to avoid this one from now on though if possible. I'm in Tameside in Greater Manchester. Thanks for your advice.
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i would ask on here if anyone has a steering bar for sale and would be prepaired to fit it for you, im sure there are plenty of people on here from the manchester area willing to help. There must be plenty of peeps with spare bars who have replaced them with heavy duty ones, i think ive at least one spare in the garage but im not that close to manchester, might be worth a post in the wanted section to see what offers you get
 
I'm sure there's a landy club that meet somewhere in Ashton, turn up at the pub meet and ask their opinion, it's always better to see things in real life rather than piccies.


Edit: Go-ogle 'Tameside Land Rover Club' and they meet in Denton.
 
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GRATCH said:
I'm sure there's a landy club that meet somewhere in Ashton, turn up at the pub meet and ask their opinion, it's always better to see things in real life rather than piccies.


Edit: Go-ogle 'Tameside Land Rover Club' and they meet in Denton.
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Thanks, that's a good idea.
 
Has the Tameside Club ceased to be? I have tried every email they have to make contact to join their club but the emails bounce.
 
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