Track Rod End supply source

[alanr]

I need to source replacement Track Rod Ends for my +2S130.
However it seems that the ones that all the usual UK suppliers are selling (usually GSJ158 the same as Spitfire, GT6 etc)have a shorter internal thread depth than the original fitment therefore requiring shortening of the steering rack track rod in order to fit and can create difficulty obtaining the required car overall track adjustment.
So my question is has anyone found a supplier source of the correct original length/depth Track Rod Ends in the UK?

Thanks,

Alan

[lotusfan]

Alan

Have you tried Kiley Clinton? www.steering-racks.co.uk

They come highly recommended and may be able to assist. As an alternative could you drill and tap the available track rod ends a bit deeper?

[alanr]

Thanks for the thoughts.
I had thought about Kiley Clinton however on their website I can't find any mention of Track rod ends anywhere, only steeering racks etc. However I may give them a call next next week to check.
Doing further research this morning I found a company called Amsteer in Tamworth who advertise that they actually manufacturer Track rod ends but their website only show T/R/E's for the later Lotus models. I think they might be a very good bet and be able to sort what I want, no doubt at a price but if they can do what I want then so be it!
Does anyone know of them or maybe talked to them about Elan/+2 Track rod ends?

Yes I suppose there is the option of possibly drilling tapping deeper into the common or garden Gt6/Spitfire ones but I am unsure how feasible an option that is? I think that may be a last resort for me. These suppliers sell them so someone must be making them fit successfuly! Has anyone on here successfully done it?

Alan.

[jdouglas300]

Hi I'm a newbie here, but I'm sure I bought them from SJ Sports I fitted them and did the tracking on the car no issues ? I didn't know there was such a problem.
JD

[ElanDNA]

Hello Alan
Bought these from Moss a while back.
Took them to my storage.
Good price and they look much better than on the
website. The material is good too.
Thread length should be good for all Elan's.
Maybe the length needs to be shortened.

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/ball-pin-128023.html

Cheers Urs

[alanr]

Urs,
Those are inner Track rods .....I am talking about outer Track rod ends, the joint that goes on the end of those in your photo ( At the wheel/brake disc end.

Thanks,

Alan.

[alanr]

Hi I'm a newbie here, but I'm sure I bought them from SJ Sports I fitted them and did the tracking on the car no issues ? I didn't know there was such a problem.
JD

Maybe your Track rods have been previously shortened/modified...dunno1
SJS Track Rod ends that they now supply are not as per the existing/original spec ones on my car. Not enough threads and not correct length overall.

Thanks,

Alan.

[StressCraxx]

Have you tried Sue Miller or Tony Thompson?

[alanr]

Not tried TT yet but Sue and Kelvedon sell the same as SJS.... GSJ158...I suspect they are made in China

Alan.

[RichardHawkins]

A long time ago 10+years, I bought track rod ends from Amsteer. There were some alterations required, but I cannot remember what.

Richard Hawkins

[Craven]

I used these from Spyder Cars
https://www.spydercars.co.uk/lotus-elan-2-steering/

[alanr]

I used these from Spyder Cars
https://www.spydercars.co.uk/lotus-elan-2-steering/

Were these exactly the same as the originals and straight fit on a +2 without any alteration, redrill tap etc?

Thanks,

Alan.

[alanr]

A long time ago 10+years, I bought track rod ends from Amsteer. There were some alterations required, but I cannot remember what.

Richard Hawkins

Amsteer are only 20miles form me so I intend to either drive over or call them next week.
Thanks for the info

Alan.

[mark030358]

Out of interest what is the thread depth in the ones that don't fit properly?

thanks

[vxah]

Another thing to note with replacement tre’s is, are the ball joint centre lines the same? I noticed almost all of them sit much higher meaning the track rod will not be at the same angle it was before.
Therefore all the carefully measured rack height shimming has gone out of the window, along with it your bump steer correction?