Tie Rod/Drumstick
 

Guys,

What would be the symptoms of having a worn one of these?

Unusual tyre wear?
Car pulling to that side under acceleration and sort of trying to go to other side when backing off?


Anything else?

Cheers,
Shaun

hi m8 do you mean rear control arm like this below
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...d/DSCF2058.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...d/DSCF2057.jpg
or the trailing arms like this
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...d/DSCF2069.jpg
cheers geo

None of those

Its on the front and basically from what I was shown it connects into the steering rack

Track rod end?

Wear would cause a knock if you wiggle the steering with car stationary. Might cause more tyre wear as track will be out but wear would have to be dangerously bad to make car pull to one side.

Is a tie rod the same thing as a track rod?

WikiAnswers - What are the Symptoms of worn tie rod ends

Tie rod end, track rod end, all the same thing.

If worn the vehicle will wander, you will notice it more at motorway speeds. If it knocks when you turn the wheel then it is REALLY fooked!!

Mine was just an issue come MOT time, didn't notice any other symptoms...

dunx

the inner rod end inside the steering rack is a ball end that allows full circular movement inside the rack bellows ,then the track rod end connects the rack to the hub giving steering movement .any wear on the two joints will cause steering missalignment and possible wandering/tyre wear same as a worn balljoint .
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...d/DSCF2610.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l3...d/DSCF2547.jpg
geo:cool:

Can the inner tie rod be changed without dropping the rack?

Thats the bit.

He said its proper name is more commonly a steering arm.

He replaced this and a track rod end.

Just for info, the disc in the first picture is fitted to the wrong side.

all parts were just fitted on to check for clearance etc
cheers geo:cool:

yes it can be changed without removing the rack m8
geo:thumb:

Cheers....the heater is all fired up and I'm out the door!

Jay

Fair play mate.

.....And done....a few beers ago actually. :)

Not much room for the wrench between the rack and subframe, but I was able to get enough torque on them and stake the washers. I did an eyeball alignment with the control arms on stands. The test drive felt okay, so no worries about shredding tires. An alignment will be done soon.

Jay