Track rod ends

[cla5h]

Getting new front tyres, and asked for alignment to be done, as steering was left off- centre when last set.

However, they've recommended leaving allignment for now, as they noticed track rod ends are worn, and sounds like rubber boot on one has split, as grease had oozed out.

Had a search, but can't find any guides to replacing them - what's involved; easy to do; special tools required?

Also, are they a standard item? Eliseparts sell them at £22+vat each for the s2 - this the going rate?

[philthy]

piss easy, hardest part is getting them off the hubs but you can buy tools from halfrauds to help out

make sure you count how many turns off they are each side, and do the same when putting it back on.

[Shug]

Track rod end QH QR2382S - from the sticky at the top of the forum. Available in any motor factors.

Relatively easy, need a splitter and to make sure the new ones are in the same place. Counting turns will work if it's exactly the same rod end. Then have the toe set as it's very precise on an elise and a quarter turn will change it a fair bit.

[mac]

I think the S2 uses a slightly different casting to the S1 but the same internal thread dimension etc.

It's a half spanner job in reality - although that's only if you have the right tools to hand

You will need a geo done very soon afterwards though.


Mac

[r055]

the trackrod ends i got were smaller length from the ones that were on, so i just carried out an estimate measure from a reference point in the track rod and the centre of the TRE joint.

try this guide - http://www.tadts.com/instructions/steering/100012.html
they also sell the QH parts, but not sure you save much with the TRE's TBH

i couldnt get the old ones off, so i ended up just hacksawing them off
remember and use loads of coppergrease so it hopefully makes it easier the next time round!

[cla5h]

Quick responses!

I'm guessing that part number will be the S1 version - on eliseparts, the s2 is nearly twice the price of s1, so assume they're not interchangeable.

What about this splitter tool called in Halfords - is it a standard tool - different styles/sizes, etc.

Re geo - will take it back in (Drivers) to get the alignment done as soon as I swap them - in fact, they've said they'll do them if I get the parts, but I'll see how much labour they reckon first.

[r055]

did they take your wheel off or did they just 'feel' it through the wheel?

i'd check your Ball Joints as well... Mine were (and still are) in some state

[jj]

I have removed and replaced a dozen or so now, and not once have I used a splitter tool, once the bottom nut is undone almost to the end of the thread, a few taps with a hammer loosen it off. Only had to grind off one pair on Ross' VX so far as well.

[BiggestNizzy]

I have a splitter, your welcome to borrow it

[cla5h]

Got the car back last night, and the report was that both front TREs needed replaced, plus one of the rears - guess they mean a toe-link end/balljoint.

I've had a feel of the fronts - one of the rubber boots is plump, the other flaccid.
Also took the diffuser off to have a look at the toe-links - the inboard rubbers didn't look great, not sure about the outers - what sort of movement/play should I be looking for in both front and rear?

Is it worth having everything replaced (car's coming up for 6 yrs, with 40k) - still a half-spanner job to do the lot myself?

[mac]

When your getting into that kind of number of replacement it might be an idea to speak to Ali or Dan for a price.

Your welcome to come over to Macsport a some point (probably a weekend) and I'll point you in the right directions.


Mac

[YvoTuk]

TRE's of the S2 are different then the ones on an S1. They're not only longer, the offset is also slightly different.

I'm trying to source some from another supplier, but no luck till now.

[cla5h]

Thanks for the offer Mac, but I think you've confirmed what I suspected - time to get the professionals in!

Whilst none of it looks particularly hard, I could see it taking me days to get it done.

[BiggestNizzy]

TRE's of the S2 are different then the ones on an S1. They're not only longer, the offset is also slightly different.

I'm trying to source some from another supplier, but no luck till now.

I have an S2 rack fitted to my S1 and I used the part numbers for an S1 rack

[YvoTuk]

The rack on itself is the same but from another supplier, so it looks different.
Original Elise rack was made in the UK, the new one is a proud product of.. India

The specification hasn't changed, the earlier S2's were delivered with the 'old' racks. Now, all of them use the Indian rack.

What did change between S1 and S2 are the Track rod Ends. The S2 items are slightly longer and.. they are slightly different offset.