Elan tie rod ends

[billwill]

I'm still conmfused... is Roger's comment right?

Are these current track rod ends being made with mixed UNF and metric threads? i.e. with an UNF internal thread on the adjusting portion and a metric thread on the tapered peg of the ball. {The bit that goes into the steering arm on the wheel hub? }

[gwnorth68]

If you go back and read the first posted query on the thread I think it's clear I'm referring to the tie rod END.. The metric thread is on the ball stud. I was supplied these by RD Enterprises (who said that's what he gets from suppliers). When I checked with Pieces Anglaises here in Quebec they had the same exact item so I assume a popular supplier of British car parts has streamlined his parts list by combining his Spitfire tie rod ends with some Euro/Japanese similar part.
Obviously it would be nice if someone knew of a current source for the real original part.

[gwnorth68]

In the RD Enterprises catalog view of the rack, Pt 2 is a tie rod, pt 3 is a tie rod end. The stud on pt 3 is metric. I believe this is consistent with my initial description of the problem. After all, even Australians seemed to understand the situation.

[billwill]

In the RD Enterprises catalog view of the rack, Pt 2 is a tie rod, pt 3 is a tie rod end. The stud on pt 3 is metric. I believe this is consistent with my initial description of the problem. After all, even Australians seemed to understand the situation.

Ok, OK... no one is any longer in doubt as to where is the metric thread that you described, i.e the stud (tapered shaft) of the ball joint on the tie rod END, but when a part has one metric thread, it is normal to assume that all threads are metric, which on the face of it would seem to imply that the thread INSIDE the tie rod end is metric, but then unless there is a remarkable co-incidence of thread dimensions, the tie rod end would not screw onto the tie rod.

Hence the straightforward question, which no-one has directly answered: Are these current track rod ends being made with mixed UNF and metric threads? i.e. with an UNF internal thread on the adjusting portion and a metric thread on the tapered peg of the ball. {The bit that goes into the steering arm on the wheel hub? }

What is the thread description of the original tie rod (track rod) anyway; the thread adjusted to modify the toe-in-out; the bit being discussed for sawing off a portion?

[gwnorth68]

I didn't check the internal threads of the tie rod ends with a thread gauge but they thread very normally (ie not tight or loose) onto the tie rod so I assume they are the required UNF thread.
The manufacturer must have decided that the ball-stud component of the tie rod end had the same taper and cost could be reduced by standardizing on this bastardized metric/UNF for several applications.

[billwill]

Aye, I expect the ball and taper and metric thread are a standard component nowadays made in millions on computer controlled grinding machines. I presume they are heat treated as well.


Not that it matters, but I wonder if the ball diameter is the same as it was on the original track rod ends.