Hi all,
Panicking at the mo!

I have 2 what I believed to be track rod ends from a transit.
New, Quinton Hazell parts, number QR1408RHT (equiv MTR1408r) 'Tie rod end-outer RH' bought from Camberly Autos after asking for two rht transit track rod ends and offering the various part numbers from this site..

I have come to get the M18 tap only to discover that it is M20 (according to my dad....)
So can someone clarify a few things before he gets a machine shop to make the tubes to fit the part...

When I measure across the threads it measures 20mm (max) so I guess I would drill an 18ish mm hole to cut the threads. Is this M18 or M20?

what is the difference between track rod ends and tie rod ends?

what part do I have if it is not the right one? - so I can go back to camberly and explain..

Tap for book Track rod ends is M18x1.5, which is metric fine.

so the hole(or tube inner) would need to be 16.50mm (m18-1.5)


sounds like the tap you have is bigger, but how accurately are you measuring it, the size is normaly marked on the side.

Ray

Ray

[Edited on 29/5/05 by rayward]

you need DRAG LINK ends from a mk 1 transit,there were 2 sizes fitted so get the bigger size
the right ones should fit the mushrooms
the bottom taper on your uprights may need re-doing,depends on what bottom balljoints you use,faves are maxi/astra/cortina at the mo,i belive astra ones fit without modding the hub

Hi

To get the tapping size (drilled hole diameter) for metric threads take the o/d of the thread and take the pitch of the thread of this dimension eg M18 x 1.5mm pitch will be 16.5mm hole, M20 x 2.5mm will be 17.5mm hole.


Hope this helps.

Keith

Yup track rod ends = drag link from transit,just one of the inacurate parts of the book.

I'm sure GTS sell the correct part

robin hood/lolocost sell them about £7 a pair

The part number you want is QR1117R
Drag link end RH thread for 1965 to 1985 Transit single wheel the thread is 18mm x 1.5

What you have is the track rod end for the same vehicle the thread on which is 20mm x 1.5 -- I don't know anything about the taper.



[Edited on 29/5/05 by britishtrident]

All
I'm not measuring the tap, it is the track rod end that is being measured as I think it is too big and therefore the wrong one. From what has been said here I have the wrong part as it is definately 20mm o/d.

Now from experience Camberlys will open a book and look at an exploded picture of the transit front end, what does a drag link do, where is it used on a tranny so
I can say "I want 2 of them!"?

Thanks for such a fast response!

Danny

Thanks britishtrident
That makes sense, as that is exaclty what I asked for - can't blame them then....

So can anyone recommend a supplier (or loner) of an M18 x 1.5 tap set.... won't need it very long, in the Southampton, Hampshire area?

Thank for all your help

look at the mk 1 transit pic,it has steering box and idler,there is a link (drag link) that goes between the steering box and the idler on the passenger side,one end on the drag link has rht the other lht,you need 2 rht ends

It's easier to buy the tube ready threaded for the drag link coupling. Most suppliers sell them ready made for you to weld in. Don't forget to get lock nuts as well, they don't come with the kit.

The transit ball joints from GTS are supplied with a lock nut each. The same is also true for the escort TRE's from GTS as well. It probably depends on your supplier as to whether lock nuts are supplied or not.

"Thank you!" to everyone who has helped.
It has cleared up my problem.
Back on track now....

cheers

danny,

you say your location as south of england, just wondered wherebaouts, cambery autofactors are quite local in our area if nearby you're welcome to come and have a look at a fellow builders progress we also meet at newlands corner near guildford if you want to come and see a couple of completed cars on the road

Ned.

[Edited on 30/5/05 by ned]