Drag link and Track Rod
Help please. 230 GES 1988
Just failed MOT on perished dust covers (4 in total) for drag link and Track rod. This a new requirement
MB no longer supply the dust covers only the complete units (second mortgage price). MOT station also advises that once removed the track rod ends/ ball joints may also be a failure due to rust and wear.
Any less expensive ideas. Advice please.
PS we are off to the MB 4 x 4 club of France event next month
Hello panzer,
I am surprised at the MOT station's remarks, that, the joints could be a failure after the boots are replaced, have they not already tested this? To tell you, if these are serviceable or not. It should be part of the test.
I know not, of any MOT regulation stating, if you find one fault in an item, you can not check it further to see if there are other faults to it. OK, I agree, they have pointed out that the boots are a fail, but that should have NOT stopped them in doing further tests to check if there is excessive wear in the joint! If so, they clearly, in my opinion have not conducted the test to its proper testing.
I am sure some out there already have an answer to your problem, but from my efforts, I will look in to this for you.
Cheers,
Hi Panzer
both the the drag link and the tie rod have one end that has a crimped fit end which is not removable ...if the gaiters are perished on that end then both assemblies ( complete rods) have to be replaced by purchase from MB ...you must quote the chassis / vin number to get the correct part for your G'
there are NO alternative assemblies that fit the G' Wagon ..however if only the adjustable end is at fault these ends are available from MB and other sources and are not expensive although the removal and installation labour content and the tracking costs add to the overall expense
Hello Panzer,
It is possible to get dust covers for track rod ends for tractors (vintage) but if they fit a G I'm not sure. I might be able to try in the next few days. I had to buy two track rods complete for one of my Gs last october and they were about £184 each plus vat from MB. Good luck.
See you in France. we will be in the Kick van Hengel convoy.
Regards Rowland.
Hello panzer,
Don't go burning the stick at both ends just yet, this may help.
http://www.southwalesprops.co.uk/propshaft/consumables/ball_joint.htm
I will, tomorrow, check the part numbers that I have come up with.
Cheers,
Rakesh
Again many thanks
Rowland many thanks - we do have 6 weeks to fix this. See you on the 11.00pm ferry - I Hope.
John
Hi Panzer
if the gaiters have been split for any length of time the chances are that the ball and cup (close tolerance steel to steel fit) have corroded and play is evident as a result
Hello panzer,
I have, had a chance to check the part numbers I came up with a local dealer, sadly, he confirms one number is recognized at £6.52 each but no parts are currently available. The second number I had given to check is not recognized.
I hope you do get a result from the URL address I sent you last night. Please let us know how you get on from there.
Cheers,
Landrover track rod end dust boot
http://www.justlandys.co.uk/product.asp?cookiecheck=yes&P_ID=2823&numLan...
Rakesh's new link;
http://www.southwalesprops.co.uk/propshaft/consumables/ball_joint.htm
Transit track rod end dust boot from Pearl for 53p each !!!
http://www.pearlproducts.co.uk/viewpart.php?id=3393&oe=
.. I fitted these and used MIG wire to lock them in place.. still working fine. My local trade motor factor had to order them in.
A000 330 04 85 = MB dust boot not G but fits £3-4 ea .. not sure where I got that from!
Also to add some more info from elsewhere on the web, there is a source for the 463 covers from Germany, as described here:
http://www.hanshehl.de/tipp39d.htm
(http://translate.google.com might help with the German)
I managed to source them locally from:
http://www.cooksmidlands.co.uk/
460 sizes may differ.
Many thanks to all.
The bad news was that under ths dust covers was a lot of rust so its a new track rod and drag link for the car. Fixwin you must have seen a few of these so you know it is a credit card damaging £450 for them.
On the bright side it should track straight and true at 130 kmph on the Autoroute next month. At 24 years and 200k+ I think it still may just touch 130.
Hi Panzer
unfortunately there is no way to minimise the inevitable re track rod ends except to inspect for splits on a regular basis ...new ones should last minimum 5 years ( normal use ) the modern gaiter is not rubber so will not "perish" but the material hardens instead and this lets the water in. then it is only a matter of time..
getting the same problem with the U/J boots on the later G wagon propshafts
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Rakesh and Fixwin
Many thanks for your prompt replys. It seems like there is no easy or cheap fix.
I suspect a few more members will fail on this new requirement.
Regards
John