steering rod thing whatever broken ?

[jimbob-mcgrew]

got a prob.. switched a gearbox t'other day, and upon puttin everything back together.. ive hit a final hurdle with the arm thing on the end of the steering column that goes into the hub, put the nut on to do it up and the bolt that it attaches to just spins with it.. tried gripping the shaft bit from above with pliers.. but only got a few more threads before it got to the point that i couldnt hold it and was eventually gonna run outta room to get the pliers on.. has it died, i need a new one ? or can i get round this ?

[Iain]

I had a similar issue the other day when removing mine - it would turn with the nut. Somebody suggested a g-clamp to hold it in the steering knuckle.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

did it work ? i tried putting pressure on it from a few angles to see if it would steady.. even tried holding the steering wheel on a tight full lock while i lent over with my ratchet to tighten it.. but still no luck. stumped on what to do, short of buying another, spose i could give it the birmingham screwdriver approach and see what happens. probably wont have any luck tho.. that car and the weather this week has been doing me over hard, what was thought to be an hours job origionally has turned into an hour or 2 each day since monday, probably will still be on stands over the weekend knowing my luck.. probably longer.. ppftt

[MC]

Its not broken, just a pain in the hind quaters. Standard approach is to clamp it down whilst tightening. Need to be persistant. You could try fitting a new nut without any nylock to allow you to do it up feckin tight, then remove that and put the original nut on. Oh and make sure the thread is really clean.

Good luck!

[Mike]

ive hit a final hurdle with the arm thing on the end of the steering column that goes into the hub, put the nut on to do it up and the bolt that it attaches to just spins with it..

Using a block of wood and a BFO hammer, knock the TRA into the hub assembly so the threaded section sticks out the bottom about 20mm (You'll know its in far enough when the rubber part compresses totally). Put nut on, torque it up. Simple.

What youve mentioned has never ever happened to me on a Nova before :confused:

[mikey14sr]

Failing the above get a nice big bar and use the hole in the chassis leg to lever the track rod end down into the knuckle, has always worked for me when they start spinning.

[mulletor]

have you not got an allen key bit in the end .so you can hold it and wind it up with a spanner.
or just put a bit of pressure on it with a lever bar.

[meritlover]

IF i ever get that problem i use a hacksaw then replace the T.R.E
most of the time its caused by fools using a hammer on the threads to crack the taper rather than using a proper splitter. when the nut is about 2 threads on to the mushroomed end, it galls and turns in the hub and the nut will neither tighten or slacken.

[Dod]

Yup, check your thread, if is damaged you may need a new Track Rod End (the part that screws into the Hub)

It its only a thread or 2 at the bottom, you may get away with gutting the damaged area off, but you dont want to cut off more than a few mm.

If its ok, but spinning when tightening, press down on it. They're cone shaped so the more downward pressure you apply, the less likely it is to spin. After a few turns it should stop turning anyway.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/Dods1/untitled1.jpg

[meritlover]

Mr Dod, your ability to use computer graphics to explain some explanations has made meritlover smile.
have a biscuit!

[Dod]

Go on the Mircosoft Paint Program :D

[meritlover]

Mr Dod, your expertise in MS Paint makes me smile.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

cheers for replies lads, spot on mikey, used my breaker bar as a lever.. locked it solid.. nut wound straight home no sweat.