Track rod ends for GD Mk3

[RichardG]

Thanks Richard,
What steering rack do you have? I have one from a Ford Escort Mk1.
When I get back later in the week I will ask Nick from Amsteer what he has sent me.
It sounds that this is a problem that GD Mk3 owners will increasingly have so good if we can find a solution.....but why GD cannot do this is surprising to me.

No problem Martin.  The rack is escort based rather than the very early triumph ones.

[MartBlak]

Thanks Richard,
What steering rack do you have? I have one from a Ford Escort Mk1.
When I get back later in the week I will ask Nick from Amsteer what he has sent me.
It sounds that this is a problem that GD Mk3 owners will increasingly have so good if we can find a solution.....but why GD cannot do this is surprising to me.

[RichardG]

I had a similar search a few years ago and ended up with the following off a Saab (guess it was actually a GM part?)

    Brand:SAAB
    Part Number(s):89 93 560
    ProductName:Tie Rod End

Following taken from the web so buyer beware!

Cross Interchange Parts
Factory    Number
SAAB    89 93 354
FEBI BILSTEIN    12963
SWAG    57 71 0002
SIDEM    61034
MEYLE    816 020 4902
RUVILLE    916403

Worked for me, might work for similar aged (late 90s gd jags)

[MartBlak]

No he didn't but I will ask. He said that if he had parts off thhe shelf he would fit them otherwise he would put put the dimensions into his CNC machine and make them.

[Tony]

Did he say what vehicle they were off which might help someone else with the same problem?

[MartBlak]

Well the second set of track rod ends from GD did not work which is frustrating as I cannot get on with setting up the steering geometry.
I got online to try and find any alternatives and came across Nick at Amsteer who are one of the wonderfully specilised companies associated with the auto industry in Birmingham. I sent him one of my old track rod ends that fit perfectly and he has sorted me out with 4 identical parts. Really good guy and I would highly recommend him/them.
I hope this helps someone else!

[MartBlak]

Thanks Trevor. Andy is sending a couple more track rod ends for me to try so I am hoping these will fit. If they do not then he will take them back and I will have to start trying to find alternatives.....but fingers crossed that will not be necessary.
Martin

[Trevor]

Martin
I ordered my Mk3 rod ends direct from GD as it was difficult to locate a pt no  when I tried with my local motor guys.
I recall that it may have been used on either Opel or Vauxall but do not know the model.
 

[MartBlak]

The issue is that the track rod ends fit just fine on the rack threads but the taper of the hole in the GD supplied steering arm is different to that of the taper on the track rod end so it does not fully engage when I try to torque the holding nut.
I was wondering if any GD owners have had this problem and whether there is a place online where you can put in relevant dimensions, thread etc and find an equivalent that would fit.
Thanks
Martin

[JON1D]

The MK1 Escort had UNF thread and MK2 had metric. If both screw on the track rod end but are different tapers ?
I recall a similar issue in the old forum and think he had a MK2 rack in the end.
This article might help to shed some light on your issue. When no part no.s are stamped you in the dark.
I have had new parts being wrongly machined or incorrect parts !

Do you mean taper is a larger diameter why it will not fit the hole ?

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=148573

[MartBlak]

I spent a very frustrating time trying to fit new track rod ends to my 20 year old GD Mk3. The replacements I have (I believe came from from GD but am double checking with Meena) just would not lock into the taper of the steering arm. I tried everything including putting a jack underneath with 2 people sitting on the chassis, clamping it, whacking it with a "persuader" etc.
I tried the old track rod end and it fitted a treat so then measured the taper only to find the mew ones are definitely a slightly smaller diameter.
Has anyone else had this problem?

Now, armed with the taper length, top and bottom diameters and thread size is there any way to identify a replacement anywhere? In case it is relevant the steering rack is from a Mk1 Escort.
Many thanks
Martin