Seicento Sporting SPI yr2000 67K miles

Ordered a couple of track rod ends from Derby, should be here tomorrow.

Since I've just fitted new front struts and before that, new ARB bushes, I guessed
it's time for the tracking to be sorted.
Seemed daft to get it tracked before swaping the original track rod ends so that's
what I'm up to.

Anyhoo, looking at them, I'll bet they are going to be a pig to undo from the shaft.
Is there a known "best" method to get the rusty beggars off?
Ball joint shouldn't be a problem but that lock nut on the shaft is giving me a rusty
grin....

Got a pair of Stilsons but how much can you lean on these things without shearing
the shaft...
Could always get a new shaft as well but I've no idea how the inside end comes out..

Phil

Lots of penatrating fluid something with a good amount of leaveridge also maybe some heat if it's really that bad but alot of the time then lock bolts look alot worse then they really are

Heat is an absolute godsend here, the first time I did them I had to take them to a garage 'cos I just couldn't manage it, when I did them on my Mrs's Corsa, I used loads of heat and they undid so easily (even though they looked rustier than the ones on the Sei!).

Thanks guys...
Will brake out the blow torch (again)...it shifted a stuck center bolt in my
gearbox mount last week...
Hoping my lad brings back my Haynes....interested to see how the inside end
of the rod is held in...


Phil

The steering rack arms are just screwed in. Unlikely you would need to change these when doing the track rod ends unless you are a complete animal.

They are a bitch to do on the car though. Easier to just take the rack off tbh.

Typical :bang:

No way on this earth are those lock nuts and ends coming off....
Tried lots of heat...PlusGas and all manor of pullings and twistings.
Thought they were bad but it's got to the stage where the tie rod is twisting a bit
and I reckon it will bust....

Anyhoo, sent for a pair of tie rods and should be able to borrow a tool
to get the inners off....
Looks to be the only way and at least, everything will be new and the bits aren't that dear....

Hayho

Phil

After a good wire brushing, it looks as though it would come off doesn't it...
However, under full pressure you can feel that spongy creaky feeling through
the tools that says something is about to snap...

New bits are on their way

Phil

Tie rods not here till tomorrow but got the ends and new boots ready...

Can't seem to find a torque setting for the inner tie rod joint...
Looked in Haynes but cant see it listed..
Anybody know off chance?


Phil

Another good job done...
Had to cut the old tie rods off to get the inner tie rod removal tool on.
Went easy enough, worst job was persuading the wide end of the new boots
to flip on.
Anyhoo, new rods ends and boots.
Old tie rod ends were a bit floppy but the inner ones were still fairly good.
Still, very cheap bits so worth doing.
Set the tracking using string and ruler between two jack stands and when I took it in
for a full tracking set up, the guy said it wasn't too far out considering..

Looking smart under there now with these new bits and the new struts and springs..

Phil G4JVF

Good job! I just did this on my sei.

I use a pair of mole grips on the inner tie rods. Then put large spanners on the end to provide more leverage and space for your hands.

Refitting the boots is the hardest bit for sure!