Bent track rod

[ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90]

Hi there, after offroading last weekend i found that my wheels were hitting the radius arms on full lock turning the one way, despite the lock stops being adjusted and they werent catching before i went.

After further inspection, it appears that the track rod (the one behind the axle) is fairly bent, would this be causing this problem? And, can the track rod be straightened without damaging it, as the ball joints on either end are ok!

Thanks in advance. Josh

 

[jamesmartin]

yes can be straightened but will never be as strong again ,not a bad idea to have new for road with both ball joints and old one for a days off roading if likely conditions to bend track rod

 

[Gafferjim]

Get some heavy duty ones, you'll never regret it.

 

[nesponge]

time to upgrade... just bought some myself

PM1010 Heavy Duty Steering Rods for all Defender inc Lemforder OE Ball Joints

 

[jamesmartin]

there is a school of thought that thinks better to bend track rod than some thing more exspensive

 

[Defender90Dave]

fit sumo bars they are really strong but will still bend if you winch over a tree stump tho :doh: a track rod guard is also a good investment

 

[tottot]

there is a school of thought that thinks better to bend track rod than some thing more exspensive

Im with James on this one,just keep a new one spare[they are not expensive]and if you bend it on a day out a rachet strap can pull it back good enough to get home.

 

[adies_v8]

Nichblog » Project Sandy Track Rod Replacement
With a steering guard and sensible driving you should be ok, i bent myn the first time on a tree stump and then just genral offroading with a **** (on-road only) bar. got me a HD on now and feels sweet.

 

[andy mcd]

After a couple of bent rods i upgraded to paddocks heavy duty ones, There fantastic.

Yeah i suppose a weak link is a good idea but usually when your offroading the steering rods are OK it is just the odd time that something gets in and bends the rods, the next week spot will be the track rod end where it pases through the hub, if you give the a hard enough whack to shear it off then the standard rod would be well fu***d and you wouldn't be driving it home anyway