Showing posts with label track rod ends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label track rod ends. Show all posts

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Fitting Track Rod Ends



If you are driving in a straight line, and you feel that you constantly need to adjust the position of your steering to keep your car in a straight line, then it is time to change your track rod ends as they are worn out. Track rod ends are installed on the ends of your car’s steering rack, and ensure proper handling when in a proper working condition.

Worn out or damaged track rod ends can cause mishandling and can result in loss of human life and property. You can do track rod end replacement in your home if you have the right tools and some basic car repair knowledge.

You will need the following:

•    New track rod ends
•    Jack and Stand
•    Lug Wrench
•    Track rod puller tool
•    Wrenches for undoing bolts (depending upon car make)

Once you have all the things you need, follow the following steps to perform track rod end replacement on your car.

1.    Loosen the lug nuts and Jack up the car on a stand.

2.    Remove the wheel and inspect the track rod ends for play and movement. They are the ones present at the end of your steering rack.

3.    Use a marker to mark the spot on the track rod where the current ends are installed, since we want to install the new ones on the same location to avoid alignment issues.

4.    Remove the cotter pin and the securing nut on the track rod end.

5.    Now use the track rod-pulling tool on the steering rack aim, with the puller bolt centered and aligned with the stud on the track rod end.

6.    Now loosen the sleeve bolt and start unscrewing the track rod end from the steering rack arm.

7.    Now screw the new track rod end on the sleeve and screw it till the mark you had previously made on the rack end. This ensures that the wheel alignment remains the same.

8.    Tighten the sleeve bolt, fix the stud back into its place, and tighten the securing nut.

9.    Now you need to insert the cotter pin back into its hole. If it is not aligning properly, tighten the track rod end just a little bit to get the holes aligned, do not loosen it.

10.    Put the tyre back on and tighten all the nuts and bolts.

11.    Lower the car off the jack.

Congratulations! You have performed a track rod end replacement all by yourself. The new track rod ends will continue to serve you for years to come.

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Performance Suspension Uses


Performance suspension is used to improve the handling and safety of vehicles that are used for special purposes such as races and rally events. They are also in some cases used by people who just want to make their rides more reliable and safe. They are available for all kinds of cars, may it be a car, an SUV or even a bike.

Performance suspension kits are used by racecar drivers to improve their cars performance during races by helping them maneuver it better. They make changes to their car such as replacing shock absorbers and springs with coilovers so that their car’s suspension absorbs all the shocks and vibrations from the wheels and do not transmit it to the car’s chassis.

Adding torsion and sway bars to ensure that even at breakneck speeds, when they make a sharp turn, their car doesn’t skid off the tarmac and stays on the track, just where they want it to be. They also improve their steering by adding quality strut bars to ensure least body roll and a stiffer suspension that is the basic requirement in a race.

In rally events or cross-country races, drivers need to navigate their cars over rough and rugged terrains that can destroy the suspension of any standard car. That is why performance suspension parts are used on the cars that enable them to move even in the most hostile terrains.

Drivers upgrade their cars with modified struts and coilovers to ensure that the vibrations and shocks from the rough terrain are dampened. Strut bars, sway bars, and control rods are used to help make sharp turns even at high speeds. If these were not used, a car would flip over at turns and can cause injury and even death.

Therefore, if you are a performance driver, then you will surely benefit from the uses of performance suspension components such as track rod ends and strut bars in your car that will make it safer, more reliable and perform like never before.

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Ford Universal Track Rod Ends


Track rod ends are basically designed to help keep the tires flatter on the road. They are used for a number of purposes but the most common use is to build tie rods and linkages. They have become extremely popular with time in the performance segment of the automotive industry.

Track rod ends typically improve handling and traction which is why they are used in high-level modifications. They tend to get ignored for low stage modifications however. They work in-line with the suspension and steering system and help in reducing tire spins and drags.

They provide balance and better control to the driver while at the same time improve stability of the steering system as well. Changing and replacing them can sometimes be tricky which is why it is better to be careful when doing so.

There are specific track rod ends available for Ford models. Especially for those cars which are manufactured for superior performance, these track rod ends help in upgrading and enhancing the overall handling. The Ford universal track rod ends can be installed in any Ford automobile because their design is based on the engineering patterns adopted by the company.

Ford is well known for manufacturing cars which have a lot of room for modification and automotive enthusiasts all over the world have been doing so for a long time. The brand is a legend in the racing world and some of their cars have outperformed all others in rallying, drifting or even NASCAR.
Track rod ends are an essential part of the suspension placed in these cars. They are able to withstand extreme pressure and adapt to all kinds of surfaces. Because they can be used for such a wide variety of applications, the Ford universal track rod ends are being sold all over the world.

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

An Overview Of Track Rod Ends

Track Rod Ends


Track rod ends are essential components which are usually neglected during low-stage modifications. They are most commonly used for building tie rods as well as linkages. Track rod ends are very versatile but changing the can be slightly tricky which is why it should be done carefully.

Purposes Of Track Rod Ends

Track rod ends have in fact become one of the most common performance upgrade for suspensions. This is because they basically help in keeping the tires flatter on the roads. They connect the hub assembly to the steering assembly to provide better handling and traction.
Another important function of the track rod ends is to reduce tire spin when accelerating from a standstill position. This is very important for any automobile which has been built for extreme performance purposes. Uncontrolled and unnecessary tire spin can cause the vehicle to drag and loose valuable tract time.

However, there are some points which need to be considered when installing track rod ends into a vehicle. A faulty steering system or suspension will not be able to properly support the track rod ends. Any other modifications to the suspension too need to be done carefully as they can impact the performance of these components.

For example, lowering the height of a vehicle can improve its overall performance but it might not be a good idea to install track rod ends here. This is because even the slightest bumps can cause the suspension to come in contact with the surface and the track rod ends could snap due to the impact.
Track rod ends are therefore, most commonly used for vehicles designed for extreme modifications where all the aspects of its use and application are covered in much detail. The installation process is fairly simple and so is the replacement process which is also why they are so popular