Steering Rack Linkage on 242

[Ben O Brien]

Hi
ive a problem with my 242,I am currently doing a nut andbolt restoration including a LHD - RHD Conversion,I am removing the old p/s rack and where the rack attches to the shock/spring/balljoint arm(for want of appropriate word) the joint is seized on the top of the joint there is a 19mm nut but the head of the bolt is not visible so when i turn the nut anticlockwise the whole nut and bolt turns together,its driving me crazy has anyone any suggestions as to where the head of the bolt is or how to loosen iot i would very much appreciate it,i am so close to taking a grinder to the whole thing because im stripping the car to a shell and using every single part bar the 2 doors and quarter panel from a 244 that i have for spares but its just not in my nature.Anyway thanks in advance
Best Regards
ben
82 242 120K Modified (Twin dellortos,lowered,etc.etc....)
82 244 90K
89 245 116K
91 245 183K
96 850(4)127K

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL188/...8/23744414.jpg

Ben,
If you are referring to the track rod to steering arm connection there is no bolt head, the stationary part with the nut on is one end of a ball joint.
The "bolt" which the nut is fitted to fits into a taper on the steering arm which should stop it rotating as you undo the nut.
Try putting a jack between the ground and the ball joint thus forcing the taper joint together and then try undoing the nut.
If this doesn`t work you could split the nut with a sharp cold chisel or a nut splitter to get it off.
An angle grinder would do the job, but you would probably damage the steering arm in the process.
Colin.

[Clifford Pope]

Failing Colin's method, which usually works, I'd wait until you have dismantled it entirely and have the bits on the bench. Then you could angle-grind it safely. You might even save the ball joint itself if you manage to cut/split the nut without damaging the threads on the ball section.

[Ben O Brien]

hi
im gonna buy a nut splitter and break it off,its the same situation at the other side of the car too,I kind of did it wrong anyway i took off the bolts at the top first(inside the bonnet in the shock/spring housing) and the shock and spring are now on the ground only being held on by this bolt,the other side is completely intact and i havent gone near it yet the bolt still spins,a freind reckoned their might be a groove for an allen key at the top of the bolt but after i scraped all the crud out of it i realised its just a dish shaped groove,anyway ill just break the bolt off or cut the steering arm with a grinder because once this comes off its going straight in a skip-i have 3 other 240s but theyre all RHD,thanks for your help.Also colin could you email me your address so i can send you the money for that carb tool you sent me,i havent used it yet to adjust the other one just went and got another 240 with twin dellortos on a special manifold for spares,i reckon ill rebuild my own carb though for emergencys and hang on to the "single" manifold.
Best Regards
Ben
82 242 (modifying in progress)
82 244 GL
89 245 GL
91 245 SE
96 850(4)S