Steering (Track Rod) Problems

[Nick172Cup]

Well i've known for a while that there has been a little bit of play in the track rods on my car, so I ordered brand new track rods and ends for both sides from GSF. They gave me ones for the TRW rack as thats all they stocked for my 172 Cup, Dave from Rentech also said that most cups came with the TRW rack also.

Well I tried fitting them today and they don't fit, the threads are bigger and they are shorter than my old ones! Not sure what to do now as there is 4 different types of rack and me and the Renault Tech guy could not find the stamping on the rack.

Do you guys know what I could do? Just really stuck for ideas....

Any help would be greatly apprecaited.

Cheers
Nick

 

[Henry]

guess you've a few options. it must be possible to identify which rack you've got without the sticker. didn't know there were four types - thought it was just SMI or TRW - need to find out what the differences are in the hope that that would allow you to identify which you've got.

i had my SMI reconditioned for about £150, which may be an option (someone else has to worry about identifying and sourcing parts then!) - but removing and refitting the rack is a proper nause

 

[davebem]

Im sure on dialogies that despite selecting the TRW or SMI rack it brings up the same part numbers for the track rods..

 

[Nick172Cup]

So you guys think it might be a SMI rack? Henry what reg is your Cup if you dont mind me asking? We had a good look on a ramp with a light and we could see absoluetly nothing...

Nick

 

[Henry]

mine's a '52. there should be a sticker on the underside of the rack body; may be it's been lost from yours?

pretty sure i've got photos of my rack somewhere - if there are external differences between the different types, might help you identify which you've got?

 

[Fred@BTM]

drivers side

JTEKT 7701474493 £39.26+vat
KOYO 7701474493 £39.26+vat
SMI 7701474493 £39.26+vat
TRW 7701047813 £42.26+vat

passenger side

JTEKT 7701474492 £39.26+vat
KOYO 7701474492 £39.26+vat
SMI 7701474492 £39.26+vat
TRW 7701047812 £42.26+vat

so from the above we can conclude that there's 4 different racks, 3 of which use the same rod ends

so technically you have 2 rod ends to choose from, TRW or the other 3 (all the same part number)

 

[Nick172Cup]

Yeah the sticker isnt there....

Cheers Fred, thats made things so much easier now. At least I can get it sorted now!

 

[Fred@BTM]

they are female rod ends right? with the locking nut seperate?

 

[Nick172Cup]

Arent the ends all the same? The problem I have is the track rod itself....

 

[Fred@BTM]

oh the actual shaft you need? not the rod end?

 

[Fred@BTM]

on for actual track rods

Driver

JTKET 7701473656 £42.26+vat
KOYO 7701473656 £42.26+vat
SMI 7701473656 £42.26+vat
TRW 7701472735 £42.26+vat

Passenger

JTKET 7701473656 £42.26+vat
KOYO 7701473656 £42.26+vat
SMI 7701473656 £42.26+vat
TRW 7701472734 £42.26+vat


so same again, 3 all the same, TRW different

 

[Nick172Cup]

Yea need both really, but that still clears it all up fine!

Cheers again Fred!

Nick

 

[caister]

I know this is an old thread but what tool did you use to get the offside track rod off? Ive done the nearside but the lack of access on the offside has stumped me.

 

[shaunthegas]

Are these part numbers as provided by fred, from renault or GSF?
Saving me from looking like a fool at the counter.

 

[caister]

Renault

 

[maynard]

Are these part numbers as provided by fred, from renault or GSF?
Saving me from looking like a fool at the counter.

If you take them copies of the Renault numbers to the GSF counter, we can cross reference the part numbers for you.

 

[172cupwizard]

Better just getting em from stealers, not that much anyway

 

[maynard]

Better just getting em from stealers, not that much anyway

What's the point when the oem ones are like 15 quid each for the tie rods and the the same for the ends. Save loads of money over renault's prices - and even they can't tell you what rack you have on your car!

 

[shaunthegas]

Cheers for clearing that up. So if i take these part numbers to GSF they'll be able to source the part, even though they are renault numbers?