Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
**SUCCESS**Dare I do it myself?
need to change inner and outer track rods. Dare I do it myself?
I have done the ARB bushes, the drop links and brakes myself, but am a little nervous of these things!
Advice?
Last edited by Philip1972 on 8th Jun 2017 6:53 pm. Edited 1 time in total
6th Jun 2017 11:58 am
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 687
If you're going to have it tracked afterwards (which I recommend you do) then its not a massive job doing it yourself, just remember one is left hand thread, the other is right, count the number of turns to get it off, as long as you can get to the tracking place in a relatively straight line you'll be fine im sure.
As with everything just take your time and take pictures to help.Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
6th Jun 2017 12:16 pm
Philip1972
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
Thanks
I will be getting it tracked afterwards and the garage is only 1/2 mile away.
I just worry about not getting the ball joints split, or the inner end off!
6th Jun 2017 12:21 pm
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 687
I was a truck mechanic 10 years before getting into aerospace, also worked on many many LRs with the Army for 13 years..
Loosen the nut by a few revolutions, so there's a clear gap between the nut and bracket. A few decent and accurate strikes with a good hammer ON THE BRACKET, NOT THE NUT or ball joint itself and it'll drop straight out..
Be careful you don't hit the nut or the thread.
I'd say if you're not confident with a hammer then don't try.. but owning a disco I assume you can wield a hammer 😂.
I find the best was to get a ball joint off is to loosen the locking feature (either a clamp or a lock nut) before starting and give it a good spray. When you've removed the joint from the bracket get a decent size ring spanner over the end, then if you want put the nut back on a few turns, and use the spanner to spin off the joint.. mark it with tipex on the threads, count the treads which are expose before you started and count the turns, try your best to match all those back up when you fit the new one and you shouldn't be far off..
Good luck' Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
6th Jun 2017 12:33 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
I measured mine as I thought it may be a bit more accurate than counting the threads! Remember to use the correct torque when tightening them up also!
You'll be fine
6th Jun 2017 12:42 pm
Philip1972
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
Thank you all very much!
Anyone know the torque settings?
6th Jun 2017 12:51 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
According to Haynes it's.......
Balljoint nuts:
M12 - 76Nm - 56 lbf ft
M14 - 150Nm - 111 lbf ft
Locknut - 53Nm - 39 lbf ft
6th Jun 2017 1:04 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
That's for the D3, just noticed you have a D4 so not sure if it's the same or not! I would imagine it is though!
6th Jun 2017 1:06 pm
Dusty
Member Since: 23 Sep 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1022
Plenty of examples on you tube which I looked at before hand. I also used a splitter which made the job a lot easier and wasn't expensive from memory.
As said, take your time and you'll be fine. Will definitely need 4 wheel alignment after. Mine threw a hissy fit on the way to be done and it was only a 2 mile drive.
Good luck Discovery 4 HSE
SDV6
2015
6th Jun 2017 3:15 pm
Philip1972
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
Anyone know the how big the knuckle is at the inner end?
I am going to buy a track rod removal tool, but there are different sizes, 28-35mm, 35-45mm etc.
Reason I am getting one is that I need to do the wifes car as well at some point!
6th Jun 2017 6:01 pm
Philip1972
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
All done
Actually pretty easy. Hardest part was jacking up and getting the wheels off
I dont know how loose they are supposed to be, but the ones I took off, while not knocking when wobbled around, they were floppy when you picked them up. The new ones were MUCH stiffer.
So I am taking it tomorrow at 430 for tracking, will report back after that.
Thanks for the help guys.
8th Jun 2017 6:56 pm
Iceman08
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
Good result
It'll be interesting to see how close you got the tracking!!
9th Jun 2017 9:29 am
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 687
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
Well, lets see if the wheels fall off this afternoon before we get to giddy!
9th Jun 2017 12:28 pm
development_cycle
Member Since: 20 Nov 2013
Location: Scotland
Posts: 107
Need to do one as it's on the mot advisory, and you can feel it. Worth doing both? Also what tools method? Never done this before. Done the outers, replaced pretty much all brake parts, faffed with epb etc so hopefully am capable. Tools and method would be helpful though, thanks
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