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Track rod end
b14wrc - 10/1/13 at 12:27 PM

Hi,

Any one familiar with Fiat coupe's - do you know if there is a track rod end that will fit the bottom ball joint on the front hubs?

Its a tapered type with a bolt that clamps around it.

Rob

Mr Whippy - 10/1/13 at 12:48 PM

as that is the ball joint that takes the weight of the car (the upper just holds the wheel upright) I'd personally just use a balljoint for that rather than a trackrod end as they tend to be more robust, most can be quite easily bolted onto lower wishbones with a welded on plate adaptor

adithorp - 10/1/13 at 01:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by b14wrc

Its a tapered type with a bolt that clamps around it.

Rob


That doesn't make sence.

Either, it's a streight pin (with a groove around it) and a clamp bolt through the upright.
Or, a tapper pin with a nut on the end of the pin pulling the tapper into the upright.

If it's the first, there won't be a track rod end that'll do.

MikeRJ - 10/1/13 at 02:54 PM

The Fiat Coupe bottom balljoint is neither tapered, nor straight. It's an odd looking stepped pin, and it's held in with a pinch bolt, at least it was on my 20VT and I changed them twice during my ownership.

The bottom balljoint does not support the weight of the car, since it uses a McPherson strut, so the balljoint sees primarily shear forces from braking, accelerating and corning, and some lower pull out loads from the anti-roll bar. I have never seen a track rod with the same style of stepped fitting before though.

b14wrc - 10/1/13 at 11:05 PM

Thanks MikeRJ, should have asked you.

I'm using 20VT hubs in my midi and want a ball joint to suit. I was thinking a track rod end as it would have a threaded part to screw into my wishbone. By the way, I inverted my hub, so the macpherson part is at the bottom if you follow me.

Not sure how to modify that then.....

Should I just stick a bolt through it and attach a rose joint??


Rob

b14wrc - 19/1/13 at 08:59 PM

I found that the ford Escort and fiesta bottom ball joint fits the fiat coupe hubs!

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/3/viewthread.php?tid=177979

Rob