Track rod ends

[foggyjames]

Being able to rotate them freely by hand suggests slight wear in both inners and outers. Brand new ones are pretty stiff, and would requite a serious heave by hand. It's play in other axes which represents a MOT failure, but my feeling is that them being a bit 'loose' has an effect on steering feel, as that tightness (when new) will have a damping effect. I tend to look to replace them once they're 'floppy' even if there's no appreciable play, as I feel it leads to vague steering feel and greater tendency to bump steer, etc.

cheers

James

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

Being able to rotate them freely by hand suggests slight wear in both inners and outers. Brand new ones are pretty stiff, and would requite a serious heave by hand. It's play in other axes which represents a MOT failure, but my feeling is that them being a bit 'loose' has an effect on steering feel, as that tightness (when new) will have a damping effect. I tend to look to replace them once they're 'floppy' even if there's no appreciable play, as I feel it leads to vague steering feel and greater tendency to bump steer, etc.

cheers

James

I decided to change the outer track rod ends. When I removed them, there was a lot of movement in the joint (much more than there should be). The new ones are rock solid and require a lot of force to move the joint by hand.

It has made a massive difference to the steering feel. When I was going over uneven surfaces, the steering used to wiggle (likely due to the play in the old track rods).

I now need to get the car aligned. Do I need to get a 4 wheel alignment, or just the front?

[foggyjames]

Good news!

Yes, I'd get a full alignment done.

cheers

James

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

Good news!

Yes, I'd get a full alignment done.

cheers

James

Thanks, James.

I got a four wheel alignment done yesterday;

-The rear right toe angle was out, as was the thrust angle on the rear. Now adjusted.

-Front right toe was also out... now adjusted.

The left of the car was fine and within spec.

The caster angle on the front right also seems out, but I suspect that could be because of worn shocks/top mounts. I don't think there's any way to adjust the caster angle on my car (S80). My understanding is the top mounts/shocks are designed from manufacturing to provide the correct caster angle from the parts box.

???

[foggyjames]

Yes, I'm struggling to think how caster would be adjustable.

cheers

James

[Tatsfield]

My mechanic confirmed to me that there is no caster adjustment on the V/XC 70 models but if one side is further out of alignment than the other, it is possible to loosen the subframe, shift it slightly to even up the readings and re-tighten it. The alternative is a very expensive racing mod to fit adjustable strut turret mountings that can adjust the camber in the same way that the other vectors are adjusted but probably not worth the money unless you were racing the car on a track.

[foggyjames]

I think we're most likely looking at worn components in this case, assuming it's not miles out.

cheers

James