Track Rod End - How do I free it up?

Post by **nigelbi** » 07 Jul 2007 11:24 pm

Any tricks tips or pointers would be useful please.

Took my 1988 340 GL for tracking last week and they could not do it as the drivers side track rod appears to have seized in the track rod end.

I've tried all things today to free it - slackened lock nut off and pushed, pulled and squirted and banged and anything else I can think of but it didn't shift.

Didn't want to damage track rod end it I could help it as I don't have a spare at moment and I guess if I split the joint and drop the track rod down I'll have less leverage anyway. Don't want to damage the rack either.

Any thoughts please as to how I can get it moving again or what worked for you?

Thanks

Post by **Nick C** » 08 Jul 2007 02:40 am

Have you tried plusgas? It's better than wd-40 as it's a properly designed penetrating oil. Heating it with a blowtorch also works for some people, but obviously not just after spraying it!

Post by **pettaw** » 08 Jul 2007 10:28 am

Yeah, heat is the answer. If you can move the lock nut then do so. Then get plenty of heat under the track rod end itself, where the thread screws into it. I'd heat for a full minute or so. Then once its hot it should free off. Winkle it in and out a few turns, and then spray liberally with WD-40. Be careful at this stage because it'll be red hot and the WD-40 will evaporate and smoke like hell. After spraying with WD-40 winkle a bit more to continue to break the corrosion down. I would then leave it like that for a couple of minutes to cool off, then respray with WD-40 and turn in and out again, to ensure its still free after everything continues to cool off.

Hope that helps.

Post by **nigelbi** » 29 Aug 2007 06:03 pm

Just like to say thanks for the advice - it's been a while since I asked the question but had a day to work on the car today and the heat worked. Release fluid followed by a gas blow torch, lots of heat and plenty of release fluid application in between heating sessions. Smoke from hot fluid was impressive, but thankfully succeeded in not setting fire to the car. Track rod arm is now moving very easily. Very grateful for all advice.