Thread: Upgraded track rod

A picture tells 1000 words. Expecially when I may have called it the wrong thing

There seems to be a bit of confusion with tie rod / track rod / drag link etc.

I've bent this. It ties both swivel hubs together to maintain the same angle on each wheel when turning. Adjustment affects toe in or tow out when the tie rod ends / ball joints are adjusted:


When you look at it, it hangs a good 50mm lower than the axle tube.

I did some searching and there seems to be a bent track rod that gives additional clearance in this area, but I can't seem to find any local suppliers of a similar product.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I did a bit of looking recently on this too.
Rockware are the "bent"ones you mention. Rockware refer to this as a tie rod, most refer to it as the track rod.
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/rockware/
I opted to get the APT rods for drag and track replacement.

Excellent. I wasn't aware that there is an APT option.
I might have to have a yarn to Ben at Melrose.
I dare say I've missed the boat to get one on board the mighty 110 to meet me down there!

Hi

The drag link is in front of the diff. The track rod is behind the diff.
Maxi drive are very strong and have proved themselves over and over again. Never used APT ones but I imagine they would be OK. Whatever you do don't get Terrafirma ones. They aren't that much stronger than standard ones.

Regards.
Michael.

Just got back home after a "quick trip" this arvo.... ended up with the same problem as you. What option did you go with???

Had a good chat with Ben (APT) at Melrose over the weekend. Going to get in line for one of his upgraded models (track rod, rear of the front diff).

I got a wheel alignment before the long weekend to get me to Orange before Melrose. The tyre shop (the one with owners who have a history of V8 Racing), did the alignment. After paying and leaving the workshop and reversing up the drive, I heard a unholy grinding noise... turns out the bent bar was adjusted, but fouled on my diff guard with anything more than a few degrees of steer wheel movement. If only the installers had more than 1/2 q clue about how a steering system worked

So I pulled the front diff guard off, and currently running without it until I have a straight track rod. No wheeling any time soon unfortunately

I'm confident that the upgraded APT item will prevent further damage in the future. But In reality, the tie rod ends are probably the next weakest link in the system... but this is to be expected. As always, build it, break it, and then reconsider your choices if it ever comes to it!

I'll be getting under my car in the morning. Then I'll have a think. I think.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Had a good chat with Ben (APT) at Melrose over the weekend. Going to get in line for one of his upgraded models (track rod, rear of the front diff).

I got a wheel alignment before the long weekend to get me to Orange before Melrose. The tyre shop (the one with owners who have a history of V8 Racing), did the alignment. After paying and leaving the workshop and reversing up the drive, I heard a unholy grinding noise... turns out the bent bar was adjusted, but fouled on my diff guard with anything more than a few degrees of steer wheel movement. If only the installers had more than 1/2 q clue about how a steering system worked

So I pulled the front diff guard off, and currently running without it until I have a straight track rod. No wheeling any time soon unfortunately

I'm confident that the upgraded APT item will prevent further damage in the future. But In reality, the tie rod ends are probably the next weakest link in the system... but this is to be expected. As always, build it, break it, and then reconsider your choices if it ever comes to it!

I've gone this way too, but next time I'll be seriously looking at the cranked ones...