Freelander 1 Tracking problems: need new track rod ends?

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rob_bell

rob_bell

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My Hippo seems to enjoy fighting every simple job every inch of the way. To save everyone having to read through my main "recomissioning" (not exactly a rebuild) thread, my Hippo was bought as a spares and repairs project last year. In that time the 1.8 litre K-series engine has been rebuilt, the brakes rebuilt, the lower wishbones/ ball joints replaced and the problems with the three Amigos finally resolved (ABS and the Yaw sensor needed replacing).

After the wishbone replacement, the tracking needed resetting - the last task before I start on tracking down the bearing noise (likely to be the VCU bearing(s) I suspect). I haven't driven the Hippo too far so to save premature tyre wear, but yesterday I finally got some time to pop around to the local tracking centre for what I had thought would be a straightforward 20 minute 4-wheel laser alignment task.

Ho ho ho.

Of course, it was nothing like that simple was it. 40 minutes later, the poor chap came back - looking rather embarrassed - declaring that he could not do the tracking: the track rod ends were seized, and no amount of heat would release them.

I am not sure whether he means that the pinch bolts on the rod ends were seized, or whether the track rod ends were seized to the end of the track rods? I need to take a little time to remove the wheels and find out.

I guess the rod ends are the original 16 year old ones, and never before touched.

I'd be keen on some advice: should I just bite the bullet and buy a pair of replacement track rod ends? If I do, are these Delphi originals - and if so, where best to buy them?

Thanks!!! :)
 
I found the ends but hadn't thought about replacing the whole arm! Thanks Nodge - I'll give that some thought (I'd better get a wheel off to understand exactly what the guy was having problems with!) :)
 
Id not even try and release them as noted above. Buy new ones, and slap them with shed loads of copperslip for next time they need adjusting!
 
I think you're right Chris - getting the complete assemblies as Nodge suggests is going to save a massive amount of time and effort I think!

As much for my information as anyone else's, I found this workshop schematic of the steering gear which I think is quite useful:

freelander-a178.png
 
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chris-the-gerbil said:
Id not even try and release them as noted above. Buy new ones, and slap them with shed loads of copperslip for next time they need adjusting!
Click to expand...

I replaced the LH side on mine last year. The end simply refused to turn more than half a turn. The other end of the adjuster onto the track rod wouldn't turn at all. I just ordered the complete assembly and fitted it in 10 minutes. Just set the greased up, new assembly to the same length as the one removed. Then get them tracked up correctly.
 
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I've taken the plunge and gone for the easiest/ time-efficient option, and have ordered two complete assemblies - one for each side :)

Will keep you posted, but this would appear to be a straightforward job now (fingers crossed!) :)
 
rob_bell said:
I've taken the plunge and gone for the easiest/ time-efficient option, and have ordered two complete assemblies - one for each side :)

Will keep you posted, but this would appear to be a straightforward job now (fingers crossed!) :)
Click to expand...

Which supplier did you use?

It's a simple job to do. Just have some threadlock handy for the rack centre bolts. ;)
 
Used the page you linked above. Seemed pretty competitive and they're made by Borg & Beck so should be OEM quality. :)
 
Awesome. Hopefully both arms will be here by the weekend (when I hope the rain stops so I can fit them!!!)
 
Nuts - delivery not until Tuesday. Should have coughed up more for an earlier delivery date! D'oh!
 
Happy day: replacement parts have arrived a day early, in attractive B&B wrapping!

image.jpg


Will try and get these fitted ASAP so I can get the tracking done and hopefully be able to tackling some gentle green lanes/roads at the weekend :)
 
Forgot to post the tracking data:

image.jpg
image.jpg


I guess I should use the existing steering arm measurements as the guide, even though they're miles out!
 
rob_bell said:
Forgot to post the tracking data:

View attachment 129437 View attachment 129438

I guess I should use the existing steering arm measurements as the guide, even though they're miles out!
Click to expand...

Get both sides the same length. Then make sure the tracking is adjusted equally both sides. You are after both left and right track rods to be as equal as possible, with the rack centred accurately.

It's interesting that the printout shows the specs from 2001 to 2006. I'm sure they were revised somewhere between those dates, but I could be wrong.
 
I think there were several revisions to the tracking over the years. At least 4 if I remember correctly. When I did mine I remember finding some additional measurements for different wheel sizes anorl. Not sure why they went to that extent unless they were trying to keep things happy.
 
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