Track rod or drag link ?

[Jimbo]

...........the bar that runs behind the front axle (110 Td5), that links the front wheels together (has a track rod end on each end) - is the bar the 'track rod' or the 'drag link' ?

Reason for asking (such a mundane  :oops: ) question is that mine is a bit bent, and needs replacing - I thought it would be ok, as there's not much steering shake, but it's starting to scrub the front tyres a bit now.

I know that I could go in the parts place and ask - just don't want to look a complete prat !

Ta,
Jim

[ibexman]

Thats the track rod.

The bar at the front is the drag link.

dom

[Jimbo]

That makes sense, seeing as the bar has a 'track rod end' at each end - I was just having trouble convincing myself ! ](*,)

Is it worth changing the 'ends' at the same time ?

Jim

[Henry Webster]

Usually is worth changing the ends too, but not necessary if they are newish.

Might be a good opportunity to upgrade to a strengthened one like a Sumo bar!  Similar price or cheaper than a std LR part.

H

[Jimbo]

Might be a good opportunity to upgrade to a strengthened one like a Sumo bar!  Similar price or cheaper than a std LR part.

H

Now there's a thought - but what do I go for ? (and where from ?)

Answers on a postcard please !

Ta,
Jim

[Henry Webster]

I like these.

Sumo Bars as supplied by QT and Tomcat.  See dealer list here

Dan Bars are another option.

Both are good products.  Slightly different solution to the same problem.

H

[Wolfie]

Another option is the bars now being made by Neil Meredith of Green Oval (and usual co-driver to James Webb on BORC events), no web link but email neilmeredith@hotmail.com.

I'll be able to comment more about them after the weekend as I have just fitted a set to Mathilda.

Regards

Wolfie

[denviks]

i had the same on my disco...the bar was bent downwards..... some gentle tickling with the trolly jack and its back inline now. used a straight bar on it and seems almost straight again  :roll:  no more scrubbing of the tyres now  

[Jimbo]

i had the same on my disco...the bar was bent downwards..... some gentle tickling with the trolly jack and its back inline now. used a straight bar on it and seems almost straight again  :roll:  no more scrubbing of the tyres now  

Mine has a nice 'S' shape in it - even an 8ft scaffold bar won't straighten it enough to stop the tyres scrubbing, so I have to bite the bullet and replace it........currently checking out Dan's, Sumo's etc !

Jim

[rollazuki]

SUMO bar comes recommended. I can jack mine up on the bar.........
I mangled a stock landy part and a paddock part before that, this one is cool.

Buy new rod ends, cos by the time you have beaten on them to get em out the hubs, then found they are siezed into the old rod, you can just smile, take the 9" grinder to the old bar so it goes in the bin, and fit two new shiny clean items........

[graham2306]

You can bend a standard Land Rover one by driving in ruts.  If you get it straight after you bend it be careful as they just bend again.  I saw a guy straighten one at a trial a few years ago, put it back on, twist it again in the next section then roll it on the next descent as the wheels were both pointing inwards.

Fit a bigger one, your life depends on it.


Graham

[Litch]

New standard tubes are about £15 each (non-genuine).
I would ALWAYS fit new TRE's as they have a life span and fitting new ones means you should be ok for the next few years.
Having replaced the tube & TRE's you really need to have the tracking checked as even if it is only slightly out of adjustment the scrub on the tyres can wear them out very quickly (been there, done that). Most places will check it for free and only charge if adjustment is needed, mine was £16 the other week.
I recently bought a set of solid bars from Green Oval, £75 for both bars and new TRE's which I thought was very good however when I came to fit them a simple 1-hour job turned into a nightmare as one of the bars had been manufactured too long (took a while to realise this was the problem) and I had to have another sent down to me. To his credit Neil dealt with it as soon as we knew that was the problem and I think he will be double-checking all the bars in future.
Most of the usual suspects (Paddocks etc) are selling these things now, they make a cost effective alternative to standard tubes.

[Jimbo]

HD bars/Sumo/Dan, call them what you like, all seem to be around the £70 - £75 for the pair, so I'm gonna have a ring round and see if there's a supplier local to me, as I guess carriage costs could be a bit steep.

Anyone got contact details for Green Oval ?

Jim

[Litch]

Neil Meredith on 0121 5613336 / 07973 296437. He also sells them on Ebay 'Land Rover Landrover 90/110 Defender HD track rods' and has an on-line store. Personally I would wait and pick them up from one of the shows if you are going (Billing for instance). I did it this way (he was at Sodbury & Towcester) and as I was going anyway I saved a fair bit on P&P.
Like I said, plenty of people are selling them now and you should be able to pick up Britpart items from a local non-franchised dealer near you and avoid postage charges that way.