Thread: Track Rod Replacement

You should all fit heavy steering arms so next time you hit a rock the ball joint pops out.There is a reason the arm is weak. Pat

Im so glad that Land Rover is the only manufacturer that enables this safety feature lol

I had a Brit part one and bent it good and proper at land cruiser mtn park. I then fitted one from MR automotive, near brisbane.

Originally Posted by djam1

Im so glad that Land Rover is the only manufacturer that enables this safety feature lol

I've been stuck three times with popped balljoints in jap vehicles that required much time and effect to recover,I've bent two LR track rods that took minutes to restraighten,LR's idea is better. Pat

Believe it or not, Pat 303 is right. Defenders have a number of reasonably easy fixable componants that are purpousfully "weaker" to prevent more serious damage further up the system.

The guys doing pro-comp all replace these parts, but they've usually got the budget to replace PAS pumps, steering arms and a significant list of componants that will let go when the sacrificial componants are upgraded too much.

I've bent track rods out in the wild in the past, but you can bend it, fix it and get going again without any major hassle.

In terms of upgrades, the UK guys do an hard steel "over pipe" that fits over a standard 22mm rod making it significantly stronger and it's a lot cheaper than replacing the rod.

Cheers!

The upgraded steering rods are ok for deep mud and rutted tracks with softish crowns, but in rocky terrain 2 tons of vehicle with high tractive effort pushing against a 33mm dia bar will still bend them fairly easily. A length of spring steel bar slipped inside a standard rod worked well for me when I was bending rods . Why doesn't some firm make spring steel trackrods that will flex upon string an obstacle and spring back to straight again? This should also give the tie rod ends an easier time.
Wagoo.

I'm looking into the off set ones, they look to solve the problem by getting it out of the way as much as possible.

As far as the sacrificial component goes, there seems to be two issues. It can bend because it gets stuck on stuff or it can bend because of wheel force. I can solve the first problem by getting an off set one. With the second issue can't you just keep the standard drag link and it should fold before breaking the steering box, a new one is like $30 I could just keep a spare just in case.

So is there any difference between LHD and RHD track rods? I wouldn't think so but you never know.

Originally Posted by PAT303

I've been stuck three times with popped balljoints in jap vehicles that required much time and effect to recover,I've bent two LR track rods that took minutes to restraighten,LR's idea is better. Pat

Pat sounds like I should put the OME track Rods Back in !! Makes sense, I was infromed pre -purchase that the track rods where so weak that they would bend to easily.................now wondering if I should when I get the chance put the OME track rods back in or Up grade the next part down along the line..........but would you be doing that while in warranty ?