Drag link & track rod ball joints, need replacement?

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E

emoose

Member
Posts
61
Location
Kent/SE London
The steering damper needs replacing (bushes are torn and it looks in generally poor shape) and while inspecting it I noticed that both the drag link and track rod could be easily twisted with one hand.

The ball joints didn't seem damaged but I though ball joints should be a lot stiffer, wondering if they need replacing as well.

Made a couple of videos to show how easily the rods can be twisted.
Drag link ball joint2 - YouTube
Drag link ball joint1.AVI - YouTube


From reading other peoples posts it seems it might be easier to just replace the entire link/rod rather than struggle with getting the rod ends off.

Prices for entire drag links & control rods seems to range from:
~£30 britpart
~£70 lemforder
~£130 genuine land rover
How do people feel about using none genuine parts?
 
Lemforder is an original equipment manufacturer for these I believe, I'll be using Island 4x4 for drag link assy, they usually give good service and price, just need to get a few brownie points in the bag with SWMBO first :rolleyes:
 
Stufer said:
Lemforder is an original equipment manufacturer for these I believe, I'll be using Island 4x4 for drag link assy, they usually give good service and price, just need to get a few brownie points in the bag with SWMBO first :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I actually had to google SWMBO, was guessing it stood for Short Wheelbase something! :)

How about the video clips, do they look knackered or am I thinking of spending monies I don't need to?
 
That means nothing. You are allowed a little up and down play on the TREs as long as there is not lateral movement. Put your hand on the TREs as someone moves the steering you will feel play you can't see.
 
Rave is not very specific about the type and size for ball joint splitter needed for the drag link, can anyone please tell me? Need to purchase today. Do you actually need a splitter? (New drag link assy ordered).

Stu
 
Stufer said:
Rave is not very specific about the type and size for ball joint splitter needed for the drag link, can anyone please tell me? Need to purchase today. Do you actually need a splitter? (New drag link assy ordered).

Stu
Click to expand...

You don't need a splitter for any TRE. Just a quick clip with an heavy hammer directly on the end apex of the drop arm or steering arm is what i have used for fifty years never fails.
 
wammers said:
You don't need a splitter for any TRE. Just a quick clip with an heavy hammer directly on the end apex of the drop arm or steering arm is what i have used for fifty years never fails.
Click to expand...

Cheers mate I shall give it a wallop.

Stu
 
Right. Loosened the nut at the drag link wheel end and Clouted with a 4lb hammer. Not budging. Wheel still on though so not much room, even less at the steering box end. Another search for me long lost ball joint splitter on the cards after tea :mad:

Stu
 
Stufer said:
Right. Loosened the nut at the drag link wheel end and Clouted with a 4lb hammer. Not budging. Wheel still on though so not much room, even less at the steering box end. Another search for me long lost ball joint splitter on the cards after tea :mad:

Stu
Click to expand...


Put a bar in and lever draglink as you hit apex of steering arm. Not much room take wheel off. Drop arm, turn steering to give you a bit more swing. Think you will find hammer is too large two pound hammer and a quick clip is better that a slow four pound hammer.:D:D:D
 
Last edited:
Datatek said:
I hold a lump hammer against one side of the joint and clout the other side with a decent sized hammer. Usually works.
Click to expand...


Yeah and if you don't want to damage anything put your thumb in between lump hammer and steering arm. It helps soften the blow. :D:D:D
 
Thanks guys, all done and dusted. Although maybe I should have stuck with 'bash it with hammers' method... Got up this morning, nice sunny day, thought I'd take a walk to local auto bits shop and get me a ball joint splitter. I steps out into the road without thinkin... WHAM :eek: boshed my a granny in a Nissan Micra. The Micra wing came off worse. Big dent in it :eek: I never felt a thing. Little old lady was cool about it, give her my number... What a pillock :rolleyes:

Stu
 
Stufer said:
Thanks guys, all done and dusted. Although maybe I should have stuck with 'bash it with hammers' method... Got up this morning, nice sunny day, thought I'd take a walk to local auto bits shop and get me a ball joint splitter. I steps out into the road without thinkin... WHAM :eek: boshed my a granny in a Nissan Micra. The Micra wing came off worse. Big dent in it :eek: I never felt a thing. Little old lady was cool about it, give her my number... What a pillock :rolleyes:

Stu
Click to expand...

Ouch! you must be made of strong stuff...or rather Nissans aren't!

Replaced my drag link & track rod today, used a little ball joint separator from machine mart for the drag link Clarke CHT222 Ball Joint Separator - Machine Mart
The track rod ones were happy to pop out on their own!
 
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