Tracking Rod - and more

[energy69]

Got some serious tracking problems after having a tip and geting the wishbone fixed. Both front tires have worn on their inside badly. A mere 150 to replace one of them on Thursday and the other is going to be due shortly. Where might I get a Tracking rod?

Secondly, I'm getting more and more attached to my FTO and realise I might do some work on it. The centre panel buttons are all very worn and would like to replace the whole centre unit. The car obviously got sprayed with emulsion paint or something because there is fine specs of paint all over the dash. Is there dashboard paint and is it a difficult job to do. Where and how much will it be to replace the centre unit? Any help you can give is much appreciated.

Cheers Energy69

[ikeane]

Is there any chance of gettin the paint off the dash, alchohol wipes or makeup remover or even paint remover if it doesnt mark the surface?

I have 2 kind of pegs on my dash in front of the pass seat, ruins a perfectly good interior

[prestigejs]

It may be worth checking the rack if the problem is both sides in case it has been damaged, this will also cause the problem.

pm sent.

[kevinod]

Tracking rod - Ricerocket or Camskill.co.uk

Did you get the alignment done after the tip? Sounds like your camber is off? If you do replace your tracking rods you'd want to get the tracking done afterwards at a minimum, but I reckon it sounds like a full laser alignment would be the best way to go.

[energy69]

Hi,

Is ths Laser alignment a costly procedure? How much does one expect to pay to replace the tracking rod?

Sam

[CJ]

Is ths Laser alignment a costly procedure? How much does one expect to pay to replace the tracking rod?

I've never paid more than €65 for laser alignment, its well worth doing if you've had any suspension work done.A track rod end should cost about €20, its not a difficult job to replace one if you have the right tools.

CJ

[energy69]

Appreciate the time you take to answer these queries. Good to know the prices. Was being quoted as high as £599 for the tracking to be fixed. My thoughts were depressing. Will get the laser aligning done.

Any other suggestions for repainting the dash and replacing the centre control panel?

[AL]

FOR GODs SAKE PLEASE DONT PAINT THE DASH, I THINK ITS DISGUSTING AND TACKY............................?

[CJ]

FOR GODs SAKE PLEASE DONT PAINT THE DASH, I THINK ITS DISGUSTING AND TACKY............................?

THERES NO NEED TO SHOUT!

I would tend to agree that painting the dash would look a bit tacky, if the centre console is done right, it can brighen up the drab FTO interior no end.

Sam, can you post a pic to illustrate what you mean as regards specs of paint on the dash?

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Appreciate the time you take to answer these queries. Good to know the prices. Was being quoted as high as £599 for the tracking to be fixed. My thoughts were depressing. Will get the laser aligning done.

Who on earth gave you this quote... did you check if they were OUT OF THEIR MIND?

[energy69]

Somebody from this website gave me the price and then came back with a updated price suggesting just the part I asked for.

As for the interior. It is like a fine spray of white paint went over most of the interior dash. Somebody made an attempt to clean it and did a really bad job. They destroyed the look of the Centre Control Panel. The scrapped it so heavily that they left marks all over it and the buttons are totally faded. Looks dire. Was thinking of replacing as much of the CCP if it is not too expensive and then I'm not sure how to treat the rest of it. Perhaps a permanent marker or something of the sort. It really does take away from the interior and with any replaced CCP it will stand out even more. There is more paint built up in between joints and stuff from were they obviously couldn't clean it. Stupidly I decided to take the car on a rather grey day and never noticed it really.

Can anyone give me the correct name/part number for the Drumstick/Tracking Rod as it is bent and needs replacing. The tyres are wearing badily due to them being so off and the last guy that went to do the alignment called it the Tracking Rod. Paul Nolan called it the Drumstick , so what is the official name, please. Where might one get it?

(explain fully - slid car into kerb turning corner, snapped the wishbone, got the wishbone replaced, car seemed off straight away, tyres wear on the innner side incredibly fast, steering shakes while turning or at speed)

also wondering - automatic gears are not sitting into postion properly, have to hold into D while driving, rather irritating. This only happened after reaffixing the induction kit (came lose) and closing bonnet. Tiptronic will not work at all as it goes straight in to reverse.

Finally the windscreen wiper Drivers Side is keeps stopping and getting caught on the right hand side of the windscreen.

Car is going into Paul Nolan next week although help with parts I might need and suggestions is very welcome so I have it sorted before it gets to him.

Cheers

[steelroe]

Steering rack end can be purchased from any good motor factors.

Ask for the following part no.

Blueprint Part N0.

ADC48745

If you have any problems let me know and I can get you one.

[CJ]

Sam, best thing to do is get it over to Paul so he can give it the once over.

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Steering rack end can be purchased from any good motor factors.

Ask for the following part no.

Blueprint Part N0.

ADC48745

If you have any problems let me know and I can get you one.

Is this the track-rod-end (small bit with a 90angle and a wee rubber bit on it) or the long metal rod type thing?

[CJ]

I'm assuming we're talking about a track rod end (steering problem as opposed to suspension problem)



Sam, best thing to do ius give Paul a call to clear up any confusion on the parts concerned.

CJ

[energy69]

Ordered the part from mitsubishi. Believe it is the Tie Rod from what I could work out Thanks CJ

[CJ]

Ordered the part from mitsubishi. Believe it is the Tie Rod from what I could work out Thanks CJ

tie rod end = track rod end, same thing IIRC. Camskill sell 'em for £15, what did you pay for the Mitsi one out of interest?

CJ

[energy69]

I was told by someone here they were £35 from the UK so when he said €59 + VAT I thought it seemed pretty cheap. Not now.

[steelroe]

Track rod end is the ball joint on the end of the steering arm. As per CJ's photo above. Used to adjudt the toe when tracking the front.

The arm on the end of the rack is call the Tie rod arm and this is the part number is have given. I tihng it was around €25 the last time I bought one.