replacing the track rod arm

can i take the track rod arm off, while the car's on the ground? or should it be up in the air?
adjust the new one to the same length and pop that one on

a simple question,sorry

dibbles said:

can i take the track rod arm off, while the car's on the ground? or should it be up in the air?
adjust the new one to the same length and pop that one on

a simple question,sorry

Click to expand...

Track rod Arm? Think you need to explain what you are trying to do. The track rod is the rod going across back of axle the one at the front to steering arm on steering box is the drag link. Are you just changing a track rod end?

its the offside front track rod end ball joint that needs replacing,so i have been advised to buy the whole bar. another company said that the o/s end ball joint was permenently fixed to the bar

dibbles said:

its the offside front track rod end ball joint that needs replacing,so i have been advised to buy the whole bar. another company said that the o/s end ball joint was permenently fixed to the bar

Click to expand...

just had the whole bar fitted today £70 for the part, didnt fit it myself though as it was in for a service today so had it done at the same time.

dibbles said:

its the offside front track rod end ball joint that needs replacing,so i have been advised to buy the whole bar. another company said that the o/s end ball joint was permenently fixed to the bar

Click to expand...

Ok so it's the drag link your replacing. Have vehicle with wheels pointing straight ahead with steering wheel centralised. Undo nuts on each end of drag link. A couple of sharp bangs with a heavy hammer directly on the end of the steering arms should loosen the tapers. Put new drag link (fixed end) into steering arm on wheel and tighten. Adjust rod length until it drops into drop arm from steering box. Check that steering wheel is still central. If not adjust length of drag link until it is. Tighten everything up. You will need to remove one end of steering damper to fit drag link. Best done with wheels on ground. That way they cannot move whilst your doing the job. If after you have done all this your steering wheel is out when driving forwards on the road, this MUST be adjusted on drag link NOT by removing steering wheel.

ok thanks