What is this and what does it do?

Nerocuba · Nov 16, 2019

Another silly question... Most probably the silliest of all BUT the rattling and vibration is driving me mad.... Many thanks in advance.

freelance · Nov 16, 2019

Supports track rod when Offroad driving

Nerocuba · Nov 16, 2019

freelance said:
Supports track rod when Offroad driving

Thank you very much.... The track rod is rattling against it like mad.... I'm assuming that isn't normal? Any ideas of how to resolve this?

300bhp/ton · Nov 17, 2019

Track rod might be bent. Replace with new or upgrade to HD ones.

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

300bhp/ton said:
Track rod might be bent. Replace with new or upgrade to HD ones.

Oh god, that's all I need, I'm beginning to regret buying this thing now. Thanks for advice.

Pappasmurf · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
Oh god, that's all I need, I'm beginning to regret buying this thing now. Thanks for advice.

It's a Defender, this is just the beginning.

potus · Nov 17, 2019

Guessing that photo isn't your then..

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

potus said:
Guessing that photo isn't your then..

It is.... I am still regretting it. I bought it because it has a galvanised chassis and thought that would be a solid starting point but it seems that the chassis is the only good thing about it. I started it yesterday after been stood for a week and the blue smoke that poured out of it was ridiculous.....once it was warm it was fine. The clutch is also gone and its in desperate need of a paint.... Got the clutch and waiting to have it fitted., then have to sort that track rod thingy.... I assume it is bent because the steering doesn't feel right... When you turn, it has easy points and hard points, if that makes sense?it isn't smooth through the whole turning process.i can only hope it is bent and nothing more serious is going on. ££££

Pappasmurf · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
It is.... I am still regretting it. I bought it because it has a galvanised chassis and thought that would be a solid starting point but it seems that the chassis is the only good thing about it. I started it yesterday after been stood for a week and the blue smoke that poured out of it was ridiculous.....once it was warm it was fine. The clutch is also gone and its in desperate need of a paint.... Got the clutch and waiting to have it fitted., then have to sort that track rod thingy.... I assume it is bent because the steering doesn't feel right... When you turn, it has easy points and hard points, if that makes sense?it isn't smooth through the whole turning process.i can only hope it is bent and nothing more serious is going on. ££££

Welcome to Defender ownership. Did no one tell you that theres no such thing as a perfect Defender?

dag019 · Nov 17, 2019

Track rods are really cheap and easy to replace, It will cost more to get the tracking done afterwards than to buy the parts and spanners needed for the job!

dag019 · Nov 17, 2019

Pappasmurf said:
Welcome to Defender ownership. Did no one tell you that theres no such thing as a perfect Defender?

I disagree, there is, and it is mine

regardless of its current list of problems!

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

Pappasmurf said:
Welcome to Defender ownership. Did no one tell you that theres no such thing as a perfect Defender?

No, I wasn't told a thing.... This is steep and expensive learning curve

dag019 · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
When you turn, it has easy points and hard points

if the tack rod is bent and catching on that bracket this may well be the tight spot you mention as the resistance will increase as it is dragged across the surface. This should be fairly easy to see as the bracket is soft aluminium and the track rod is steel so if they are rubbing there will be an obvious witness mark on the bracket.

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

dag019 said:
Track rods are really cheap and easy to replace, It will cost more to get the tracking done afterwards than to buy the parts and spanners needed for the job!

I'm having the shocks and springs done next weekend as I want the 2 inch lift taken off and putting back to standard, so I'll ask the chap to have a look at the track rod and steering issue just hope it is that and nothing more sinister.

Pappasmurf · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
No, I wasn't told a thing.... This is steep and expensive learning curve

Oops. Yeah research. Google is king. Fortunately, after 18 years of driving them in the army, I knew what money pits, and how much hard work they are.

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

dag019 said:
if the tack rod is bent and catching on that bracket this may well be the tight spot you mention as the resistance will increase as it is dragged across the surface. This should be fairly easy to see as the bracket is soft aluminium and the track rod is steel so if they are rubbing there will be an obvious witness mark on the bracket.

That does make sense and there will definitely be marks as it rattles and vibrates against the bracket at certain revs and idle... The quote from the previous owner "I haven't done any off roading in her whatsoever"..... Yeah right.

Pappasmurf · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
That does make sense and there will definitely be marks as it rattles and vibrates against the bracket at certain revs and idle... The quote from the previous owner "I haven't done any off roading in her whatsoever"..... Yeah right.

Heres a tip. Learn to do as much as possible yourself. It will save you a very large fortune in garage labour fees.

Nerocuba · Nov 17, 2019

Pappasmurf said:
Oops. Yeah research. Google is king. Fortunately, after 18 years of driving them in the army, I knew what money pits, and how much hard work they are.

Google is goo but I find searching this forum a better first point of contact because there is a lot of experienced owners, like yourself, with tons of good advice, so thanks once again.

Scooby22 · Nov 17, 2019

The track rod may line up better once you revert back to normal springs and shocks, it looks like it may be just catching the back of the bracket and may not be bent. Was the prop shaft changed as part of the lift.

Pappasmurf · Nov 17, 2019

Nerocuba said:
Google is goo but I find searching this forum a better first point of contact because there is a lot of experienced owners, like yourself, with tons of good advice, so thanks once again.

I agree, but Google gives you snippets from other forums as well. It also points you to YouTube videos.

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