I have just fitted new trackrod ends and ball joints to my 97 turbo but am having a bit of difficulty getting the trackrods to fit back into the hub.

Do I have to heat the hub a little and then just chap the trackrods down into the hub using wood and a hammer? As they are tapered, it seems that they are a very tight fit. I supose I just need them to sit far enough down so that I can get the new locknut on the bottom and then tighten them down?

Any help appreciated

Cheers, Ali

 

They should just push in as they are tapered. Usually just fall in. Are they the same size as the ones you took out?

 

Yeah, they are the same size as the ones I removed.

I am pretty sure that the trackrods go into the hub with the threaded end facing downwards, but they just seem to be slightly too big to fit into the hole as the taper just stops the thread from appearing at the other end so I cannot get the nut on!

My mind is playing tricks on me now, the trackrods fit into the hub when they are inserted the opposite way, i.e. the thread is pointing upwards, but I am sure that they point downwards! Its been a few days since I removed both of them!

I tried doing the same with the old ones to make sure and its the same story with them! When I pushed them out, I used a ball joint separator and when they popped out they did so with a fair amount of force, so they were obviously a tight fit in there, but not sure they got in there in the first place!

Any ideas?! Im probably missing something obvious...

Cheers, Ali

 

erm think your trying to fit them upside down. they fit wich ever way the thread pokes out the other side.

 

Ah, ok. Thanks!

Obviously with them only fitting one way, common sense told me they fitted with the thread end pointing upwards but unless my memory is completely shot, I am sure they were originally in the other way, i.e. thread pointing downwards!

Just to be sure, can someone confirm which way the threaded end on the trackrods face - upwards or downwards?

Cheers, Ali

 

Sti V3 1997.

 

Thanks Graham. What kind of wishbones and track rods are those?

All done now, each side now has new track rods and ball joints!

Hopefully will feel a bit better now, and stop that clunking noise.

 

Some nice sexy suspension bits there !!

 

Stock Alloy Subaru wishbones.
Whiteline Roll center balljoints.trackrods (that's why they look a bit different)
Whiteline adjustable drop links, essential for corner-weighting the car)
Whiteline 27 mm front roll bar
Whiteline lower front brace

Then there are all the other special bits on the front too!

 

Nice!

Where can you get the wishbones from? Will a local Subaru dealership be able to supply them?

Being a 97 uk car, mine are a little rusty!

 

Call David at Welcome to the API website
Ask him as I'm sure he will have some. Tell him '911' sent you!

 

97 UK car has steel ones that's why they are rusty. We have plenty of the better , stronger STi type alloy ones like Grahams in stock. They will fit straight on, but you will need to retrack and recamber the car.

David APi