Steering Wheel rod thingy

[VladTepes]

Ok - I have previously fixed the tie rod on my Defender (the one used to adjust the wheel alignment) and which lives behind the front diff.

I have now managed to bend the one in front of the diff, that is used to adjust the steering wheel so its straight ahead / level when the wheels are pointing straight ahead. The steering wheel is so far off centre now its freaky.

Can someone tell me the proper name for the thingy I'm talking about; where I can get a decent replacement, and how much it's likely to cost me ?


And while we're at it - any good recommendations re bash plate / steering protectors ?

Ta.

[Rosco]

I believe this is what you're after ... $215.80 from Graeme Cooper ...


Heavy Duty Track Rod - (NRC145A)
Heavy duty track rod. 32mm diameter, 8mm wall thickness, comes with clamps. 10mm larger than original, Fits most models up to 1999. If being fitted to a Discovery or Range Rover you will neeed to purchase a left hand threaded tie rod end, & a steering damper bracket.

Cheers ... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[JDNSW]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rosco &#064; May 16 2006, 07&#58;40 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I believe this is what you&#39;re after ... &#036;215.80 from Graeme Cooper ...
Heavy Duty Track Rod - (NRC145A)
Heavy duty track rod. 32mm diameter, 8mm wall thickness, comes with clamps. 10mm larger than original, Fits most models up to 1999. If being fitted to a Discovery or Range Rover you will neeed to purchase a left hand threaded tie rod end, & a steering damper bracket.

Cheers ... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
[/b][/quote]

Not as I read it - he is looking for the drag link not the track rod. I don&#39;t know of any heavy duty versions of this, however - never bent one, although I have the track rod.
John

[one_iota]

From Graeme Cooper: www.lrexpert.com.au (http://www.lrexpert.com.au)

Heavy duty drag link - (NRC9741A)
32mm dia with a 8mm wall thickness. much stonger than original unit. Comes with stonger clamps. This will fit any model 110 or Defender.

&#036;210

[disco95]

Actually you may find that some call the one in front a track rod also.
I&#39;ve just been chasing the one behind the diff that the steering damper bolts onto, it goes from wheel to wheel. The one in front goes from steering column to wheel, when I asked for a track rod at land vehicle spares they asked me which one, the front as I&#39;ve described, or the rear as I&#39;ve described.
What the proper names are, I&#39;m not entirely sure.

[one_iota]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(disco95 &#064; May 16 2006, 08&#58;33 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Actually you may find that some call the one in front a track rod also.
I&#39;ve just been chasing the one behind the diff that the steering damper bolts onto, it goes from wheel to wheel. The one in front goes from steering column to wheel, when I asked for a track rod at land vehicle spares they asked me which one, the front as I&#39;ve described, or the rear as I&#39;ve described.
What the proper names are, I&#39;m not entirely sure.
[/b][/quote]

The steering box is connected to the drag link

The drag link is connected to the left wheel

The left wheel is connected to the track rod

The track rod is connected to the right wheel

and we shake it all about

[rick130]

and contact Maxi Drive, as that&#39;s who supplies Graham Cooper, and they are a hell of a lot closer to you.

Drag link pt # MDE 9741 Track Rod/Tie Rod pt. # MDE 6104

Maxi Drive Engineering
4 Ryecroft St
City Link Industrial Estate
Carrara 4211

ph. 07 5530 3934
fax 07 5530 3932

[camel_landy]

Actually.... Rather than fit a heavy duty one, fit a steering guard instead&#33;

M

[DaveS3]

The problem we have found with upgraded drag links is that the next week point is generally the steering box (Rover boxes are not all that strong)

I would prefer to bend a drag link then break my steering box.

I would go another standard drag link with new tie rod ends, and a steering guard as Camel Landy suggested.

Dave.

[jasper110]

going by my landrover workshop manual, it&#39;s the drag link. the one dehind the diff is the track rod. heavy duty items are available here in the u.k. at places such as http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/NEW_PRODUC...l_Defender.html (http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/NEW_PRODUCTS/HD_Steering_Rods/Britpart_Heavy_Duty_Steering_Rods_for_all_Defender .html)

although this may not help you guys far far away&#33;

the above mentioned rods are easily 3 times the weight or the original items.

[Rosco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(camel_landy &#064; May 16 2006, 09&#58;38 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Actually.... Rather than fit a heavy duty one, fit a steering guard instead&#33;

M
[/b][/quote]

I bent mine twice, without hitting anything ... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Cheers

Rosco

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveS3 &#064; May 16 2006, 11&#58;53 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The problem we have found with upgraded drag links is that the next week point is generally the steering box (Rover boxes are not all that strong)

I would prefer to bend a drag link then break my steering box.

I would go another standard drag link with new tie rod ends, and a steering guard as Camel Landy suggested.

Dave.
[/b][/quote]

Interestingly the Army 110&#39;s have HD drag link & tie rod as standard.

Cheers

Rosco

[crump]

Vlad, heres my steering guard and axle guard by Troutbeck, around &#036;250 each.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/05/60.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[camel_landy]

Rosco.... Is that your guard that you bent or the rod?

If it&#39;s the guard then it&#39;s not thick enough&#33; I&#39;ve got a 10mm ally one on the Camel and I&#39;ve even managed to bend that. Mind you, as you can imagine, it took a fair thump to do so.... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

M

[Rosco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(camel_landy &#064; May 17 2006, 05&#58;36 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Rosco.... Is that your guard that you bent or the rod?

If it&#39;s the guard then it&#39;s not thick enough&#33; I&#39;ve got a 10mm ally one on the Camel and I&#39;ve even managed to bend that. Mind you, as you can imagine, it took a fair thump to do so.... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

M
[/b][/quote]

Na mate .. the bloody rod https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I&#39;ve thought about additional guards, but as this stage haven&#39;t gone down that road.

Rosco

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<span style="color:#3333FF">hey vlad.....just straighten it out as much as possible....then refit it and go for a drive.....
drive the vehicle straight ahead and dont worry where the steering wheel is pointing.......
then pull up and get out with your 11mm spanner and multigrips.....


by driving straight and stopping you have the wheels pointing dead straight ahead....
now get underneath and loosen off the 11mm bolts on the drag link (both ends&#33;&#33;) and turn it with the
multi grips (or similar) till the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.....

its a good idea to have someone sitting in the vehicle to tell you when its straight.....and also if you are turning
it in the right direction.....once its straight....make sure to tighten the end clamps.....


it should take longer to straighten it out than it will to adjust it......adjusting only takes a couple of minutes....


ps....it will be easier to straighten it out if it off the vehicle.....
to remove it you will need to undo the tie rods.....have you ever taken a tie rod off before....?
if no....i will tell you what to do.....if yes....what are you waiting for.....why arent you out there fixing it....?</span>

[discoute]

I have never herd of a rover steering box broken as result of using heavy duty drag links and track rods. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

glen

Heavy duty is all I use, Maxi drive units.

[VladTepes]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DEFENDERZOOK &#064; May 17 2006, 07&#58;56 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
<span style="color:#3333FF">hey vlad.....just straighten it out as much as possible....then refit it and go for a drive.....
drive the vehicle straight ahead and dont worry where the steering wheel is pointing.......
then pull up and get out with your 11mm spanner and multigrips.....
by driving straight and stopping you have the wheels pointing dead straight ahead....
now get underneath and loosen off the 11mm bolts on the drag link (both ends&#33;&#33;) and turn it with the
multi grips (or similar) till the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.....
</span>
[/b][/quote]

Problem is, the bloody thing won;t turn, even when loosened and with grips. The huy at the tyre place was not amused.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VladTepes &#064; May 17 2006, 10&#58;45 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Problem is, the bloody thing won;t turn, even when loosened and with grips. The huy at the tyre place was not amused.
[/b][/quote]


<span style="color:#336666">too much beach driving.....

take the whole thing off from the tie rods....then undo the two 11mm bolts and slide the clamps back.....
then give the ends a drink of wd40 or similar and after a few minutes....using an appropriate sized screwdriver or chisel
try and spread the split on the ends open a little......then holding the rod in a vice without crushing it....
try and turn the tie rod ends (ball joints) and keep spraying them......it will eventually work itself loose.....
once they srew in and out freely enough fit the whole lot back on the vehicle and straighten your steering wheel....

oh...and if you screw the ball joint in two turns...screw it back out two turns....
its best not to change the number of turns they are screwed in.....

the guy at the tyre place should have got it all working for you....even if he had to charge you a bit extra
in labour to do it.....</span>

[DaveS3]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(discoute &#064; May 17 2006, 08&#58;01 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I have never herd of a rover steering box broken as result of using heavy duty drag links and track rods. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

glen

Heavy duty is all I use, Maxi drive units.
[/b][/quote]

Mate has done 2 now - this is while racing (obviously hard on everything), but seems now to bend the rods instead of boxes?
We thought that his HD Draglink had something to do with the breakages.

Dave.

[walker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveS3 &#064; May 17 2006, 11&#58;39 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Mate has done 2 now - this is while racing (obviously hard on everything), but seems now to bend the rods instead of boxes?
We thought that his HD Draglink had something to do with the breakages.

Dave.
[/b][/quote]

Yep, I agree with you Dave. I have a HD track rod but have left my drag link standard. I have bent it several times but never busted the steering box.

Mick has HD drag link and I think he is on his 3rd or 4th steering box. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I put on a steering guard and still managed to bend my drag link https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ I think it bends not from getting hit but the force exerted when steering the 35&#39;s in deep ruts. If you have a HD drag link and it doesn&#39;t bend then something has to give somewhere else.

[DaveS3]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(walker &#064; May 17 2006, 11&#58;46 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Yep, I agree with you Dave. I have a HD track rod but have left my drag link standard. I have bent it several times but never busted the steering box.

Mick has HD drag link and I think he is on his 3rd or 4th steering box. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I put on a steering guard and still managed to bend my drag link https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ I think it bends not from getting hit but the force exerted when steering the 35&#39;s in deep ruts. If you have a HD drag link and it doesn&#39;t bend then something has to give somewhere else.
[/b][/quote]

Thats exactly what we were working on / thinking
Yeh Micks another.
The HD draglinks have NEVER had even a mark on the (even paint showing due to mud being scratched off ect)

Im just going to carry a spare + have bash plate

Dave.

[discoute]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(walker &#064; May 17 2006, 11&#58;46 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Yep, I agree with you Dave. I have a HD track rod but have left my drag link standard. I have bent it several times but never busted the steering box.

Mick has HD drag link and I think he is on his 3rd or 4th steering box. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I put on a steering guard and still managed to bend my drag link https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ I think it bends not from getting hit but the force exerted when steering the 35&#39;s in deep ruts. If you have a HD drag link and it doesn&#39;t bend then something has to give somewhere else.
[/b][/quote]

There is the answer adam 35&#39;s in deep rutts, I have to question are these box new or worn out pieces of crap. I would think the boxes are old and are being floged in competition and are these boxes early units or later model as in discovery, Vlad is turning up to club runs and beach, not torture testing in competition. Hole differtant ball game. Very common problem bending this drag link only takes a whack on the side of the tyre. Another problem maybe in the toein-toeout setting, to much toe in will place pressure on the link and will bend it easyer than fog horn leg horn marrying miss prissy. Rover 4wd should run with toe out. replace your drag link VLAD. and take your truck for an alignment. I have drag link you can loan if you need it.

respectfully glen

[walker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(discoute &#064; May 18 2006, 10&#58;29 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
There is the answer adam 35&#39;s in deep rutts, I have to question are these box new or worn out pieces of crap. I would think the boxes are old and are being floged in competition and are these boxes early units or later model as in discovery, Vlad is turning up to club runs and beach, not torture testing in competition. Hole differtant ball game. Very common problem bending this drag link only takes a whack on the side of the tyre. Another problem maybe in the toein-toeout setting, to much toe in will place pressure on the link and will bend it easyer than fog horn leg horn marrying miss prissy. Rover 4wd should run with toe out. replace your drag link VLAD. and take your truck for an alignment. I have drag link you can loan if you need it.

respectfully glen
[/b][/quote]


If you saw our trucks you would know they are definately not Competition material. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

And my box is an older 3bolt box but has never had a problem while all of Micks have been new 4 bolt boxes as in the Disco&#39;s.

But I do think that 35&#39;s probably put more strain on the boxes than the maker intended. I have often wondered if there was any replacement upgrade than can be done.

[DaveS3]

Glen, your absolutely right. Completely different circumstances - but stranger things have happened.

The broken boxes were 4 Bolt Disco/RR in GC at the time.

I still like the idea of the steeing guard though, either way will work for you Vlad.

Goodluck,

Dave.