3.9 disco mot failure-track rod

hi everyone,disco failed the mot friday,not too bad(bulbs,windscreen wiper)but it also failed on track rod excessive play?now i,ve had a clunking noise which i thought was coming from the rear but have found it out to be the front sooooo could my clunk be related to this track rod play?also how difficult are they to change,do you replace both ends while your in there?i,m also looking at doing a-frame at the same time,is that also a possible diy job?cheers craig

If the track rod ends are worn enough to make clunking noises then you would have probably noticed some rather erratic steering so I think the 2 are unrelated. Probably makes sense to change both ends while you are at it. They're not difficult to change. Probably need a good soak in penetrating oil first though. A frame ball joint is much the same. I would invest in a ball joint separator first and don't forget to measure the distance between the track rod ends before you take them off the rod. If you don't, you will need to get the tracking set once you have done the job, although its probably not a bad idea to get it checked afterwards anyway.

The A frame is difficult if you intend to do it DIY and have not done it before, you may need to take the frame to someone who has a 20ton press to seperate and replace the joint. For me it's get some one to do it.

good idea batman,especially has my bikes of the road and my disco,s the only means of transport i have.if it goes tits up im on the buses

discool said:

The A frame is difficult if you intend to do it DIY and have not done it before, you may need to take the frame to someone who has a 20ton press to seperate and replace the joint. For me it's get some one to do it.

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nah - you just need a big vice and a big hammer.