P38A Drag link disaster

Datatek said:

Not worth replacing just one end of the track rod IMO as if one is worn the other will not be far behind it and when the fixed one fails, the new track rod will come with both ends.
Any movement in the joints and it's fecked.

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Yes, I thought that but I replaced the whole assembly maybe 2 years ago? The nearside one is solid as a rock. I find it hard to believe it has gone at all to be honest. It was Lemforder and it only does about 8k a year. The movement is on the vertical and I have to use a fair amount of grunt to move it but the movement is there. I cannot think what else to replace though, other than the swivel hub ball-joints? How do you test if they're worn? Or I guess maybe the wheels are just buckled a bit? The pot-holes have been horrendous. Many are so large you just cannot avoid them and to be honest I don't think the missus even tries. She'd be better off driving a tank than a car.

Prop shaft uj? Mine did something similar, vibrations and noise at about 70, good as gold now.

Jake Hewitt said:

Prop shaft uj? Mine did something similar, vibrations and noise at about 70, good as gold now.

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Good call. I haven't checked for nearly a year now so overdue.

Jake Hewitt said:

Prop shaft uj? Mine did something similar, vibrations and noise at about 70, good as gold now.

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Jake, you were spot on. I hadn't driven the car in a while until last night when it was MUCH worse. Could feel it through the seat. 25mph was worse, related to transmission / road speed rather than engine. Checked today and the rear Hardy-Spicer on the front prop is shot. Caught it just in time.

Grrrrrr said:

Jake, you were spot on. I hadn't driven the car in a while until last night when it was MUCH worse. Could feel it through the seat. 25mph was worse, related to transmission / road speed rather than engine. Checked today and the rear Hardy-Spicer on the front prop is shot. Caught it just in time.

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Glad you caught it! Did you crawl underneath?

Jake Hewitt said:

Glad you caught it! Did you crawl underneath?

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Yes. Jacked rear wheel up (stands as well), wriggled rear prop. Jack front wheel u, wriggled front prop and it was obvious!