Bent Front Track Rod ???

[Uphillphil]

I have been having steering issues with my 1999 TD5 110. I took a look under the front, and what I think is the track rod (do they call this the radius arm in the workshop manual?) is bent. Should this rod be straight or bent???

Thanks.

 

[jamesmartin]

radius arms hold axle to chassis ,from the front shaft going from steering box to passenger side swivel housing is drag link should be straight ,next thicker shaft from chassis to axle is panhard rod does have bend ,behind axle is track rod it should be straight

 

[Uphillphil]

Many Thanks for your help!!!
Is the drag link the first bar/ rod that you come to if you look under the front end. Is this connected to the steering damper??

 

[Uphillphil]

The panhead rod is bent around the front of the diff????

 

[jamesmartin]

Many Thanks for your help!!!
Is the drag link the first bar/ rod that you come to if you look under the front end. Is this connected to the steering damper??

yes thats the drag link

 

[jamesmartin]

The panhead rod is bent around the front of the diff????

yes has bend to clear front of diff it stops axle moving sideways

 

[Uphillphil]

Many thanks again for your help.
I take it if the drag link is bent (which it is), this would play havoc with my tracking???

 

[jamesmartin]

no tracking would be effected by bar on rear off axle it keeps wheels paraell to each other ,drag link bent would effect steering ,on botom of steering box where arm fastens to shaft on rear is slot which you can insert pin/drill bit to aline steering box centerally ,drag link can then be adjusted to ensure wheels run straight when box is central,if its bent id replace it