Adjusting tracking

Post Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:45 pm

Okay im in the middle of sorting the alignment on one of my front wheels. I have undone the clamp part halfway up the tie rod. I understand i need to be able to rotate the part of the tie rod nearest the wheel and either screw it in or out as required.
I think i need to remove the nut holding the lower balljoint to the strut? This is the only way i can see to turn the rod unless i mess about at the power steering end. I have loosened this nut but it just keeps turning now with the bolt so will not come undone. Am i going the right way about this?

Post Tue Apr 16, 2013 5:37 pm

The inner rod rotates. If you look at it closely (possibly under lots of dirt/grime) you will see a section of the inner rod has the flats for a spanner. Leave the outer rod/ball joint attached to the strut.

If you have undone the ballpoint to the point it's just spinning, you need to get some pressure on it to push it back against the strut. Probably not the safest way, but with the car supported (usually the wheel under the chassis rail) get a trolley jack under the ball joint and slowly raise the jack until there is enough pressure to stop it spinning.

Post Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:29 pm

I've given up for today! Couldn't get the inner rod to budge but wasn't aware of the flats. And couldn't get the nut tightened up either so will have another go at it tomorrow, appreciate the advice mate i'm confident i will get it done now

Post Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:53 pm

To get the average neglected E30 track rod to turn, you will need to apply plenty of WD40 to the slot that the clamp acts upon, then use a blunt screwdriver and hammer at a shallow angle to the slot, so as to shock it away from the threads. This will tend to suck the WD40 into the threads, and eventually they will loosen up. Be very careful not to damage th threads!
The flats on the tie rod won't be any use to get it freed up - you need something like a small pair of stillsons for that.
When you eventually get it loosened, take both rod ends right out, then reassemble with plenty of copper grease.

Post Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:36 pm

Brianmoooore wrote: The flats on the tie rod won't be any use to get it freed up - you need something like a small pair of stillsons for that.

Good point, I didn't think of that.
Guess I've been lucky as I have always managed with a spanner and a 10" length of scaffold tube if it was a bit stubborn - only got my Granddads stillsons and they are too long to use under the car whilst its on axle stands.