Nightmare track rod end removal

Will maddox · 05-31-2016, 12:13 PM

Just thought I'd share this as it was a bastard experience.
If anyone has/had/is having trouble removing your track rod ends, this is what I had to do to mine.

I used a thin cutting wheel on my angle grinder the slice down the length of the joint, the did the same on the exact opposite.
Then used a masonry chizzle to stretch open the the part where the pinch bolt goes. This then splits the 2 cuts apart from the thread which makes you job so much easier.
Also used a good quality mole grips to hold onto the steering rod, then a big long 21mm spanner on the track rod ends.
Another thing that helped was the use of a small scissor Jack to support the steering arms

bishbosh · 05-31-2016, 02:27 PM

I'm about to do this job too, but I'll be replacing the track rods and boots too, so hopefully won't have to split the ends off. At least that's what I hope!

Phil325i · 05-31-2016, 02:43 PM

Never understood why BMW couldn't have the same track rod arrangement as every other manufacturer. I've coated the lock nuts on mine with copper grease then wrapped the whole thing in cling film to keep out the wet.

Russbmw · 05-31-2016, 03:25 PM

Cling film?!

If you were going to those extremes, you could have used self almalgamating tape

Will maddox · 05-31-2016, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I'm about to do this job too, but I'll be replacing the track rods and boots too, so hopefully won't have to split the ends off. At least that's what I hope!

Good luck, make sure you have a good quality tx40 bit to lockout the joint, I snapped a couple before buying a good one

bishbosh · 05-31-2016, 04:10 PM

I'm planning to pop out the ball joint, then slide back the rubber boot to get at the large nut on the steering rack, hopefully bypassing the separation of the track rods, is that a feasible method do you think?

Mind you since I'm not reusing the parts I could just angle grind through the rod anyway, be a lot quicker!

abeardo83 · 06-01-2016, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I'm planning to pop out the ball joint, then slide back the rubber boot to get at the large nut on the steering rack, hopefully bypassing the separation of the track rods, is that a feasible method do you think?

Mind you since I'm not reusing the parts I could just angle grind through the rod anyway, be a lot quicker!

Good luck. That large nut is an absolute cnut of a thing to get out. You need to get the car high in the air, because you WILL need a long breaker bar. I only had a 13" handle of a large wrench and the car was as high as a set of jack stands. The bastard things nearly killed me trying the get them off.

bishbosh · 06-01-2016, 09:25 AM

I've found a 23.5" (60cm) wrench from toolstation which I hope I could use, but then I doubt I could lift the car that high!

They also have a heavy duty one for a tenner which is 17.5 inches (45cm) which might be a better compromise.

05-31-2016, 12:13 PM	#1
Will maddox Private 6 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Bmw e92 335i m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Staffordshire iTrader: (0)	Nightmare track rod end removal Just thought I'd share this as it was a bastard experience. If anyone has/had/is having trouble removing your track rod ends, this is what I had to do to mine. I used a thin cutting wheel on my angle grinder the slice down the length of the joint, the did the same on the exact opposite. Then used a masonry chizzle to stretch open the the part where the pinch bolt goes. This then splits the 2 cuts apart from the thread which makes you job so much easier. Also used a good quality mole grips to hold onto the steering rod, then a big long 21mm spanner on the track rod ends. Another thing that helped was the use of a small scissor Jack to support the steering arms
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05-31-2016, 02:27 PM	#2
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 840 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	I'm about to do this job too, but I'll be replacing the track rods and boots too, so hopefully won't have to split the ends off. At least that's what I hope!
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05-31-2016, 02:43 PM	#3
Phil325i Brigadier General 615 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Never understood why BMW couldn't have the same track rod arrangement as every other manufacturer. I've coated the lock nuts on mine with copper grease then wrapped the whole thing in cling film to keep out the wet. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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05-31-2016, 03:25 PM	#4
Russbmw Colonel 680 Rep 2,444 Posts Drives: 2018 630iGT sport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Caloundra, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 640i [0.00] 2014 BMW 530d GT [0.00] 2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX [0.00]	Cling film?! If you were going to those extremes, you could have used self almalgamating tape __________________
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05-31-2016, 04:10 PM	#6
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 840 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	I'm planning to pop out the ball joint, then slide back the rubber boot to get at the large nut on the steering rack, hopefully bypassing the separation of the track rods, is that a feasible method do you think? Mind you since I'm not reusing the parts I could just angle grind through the rod anyway, be a lot quicker!
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06-01-2016, 09:25 AM	#8
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 840 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	I've found a 23.5" (60cm) wrench from toolstation which I hope I could use, but then I doubt I could lift the car that high! They also have a heavy duty one for a tenner which is 17.5 inches (45cm) which might be a better compromise. __________________ if I've helped - an Appreciate would be, er, very appreciated!
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