Inner tie rods

[Arkaig]

Just wanted to double check something.

Postie delivered my Lemforder tie rods this morning and on checking them over I noticed the absence of any kind of locking mechanism on the inner joint to steering rack part.

Is this normal? I'm used to having either a locking pin or some kind of tabbed washer to ensure the rods don't start to unscrew from the rack. Is torquing them up plus threadlock the normal way on VAG cars? Are the originals on this way?

Checked the Haynes and it just says torque em up.. Can't say it makes me feel all warm and secure Someone reassure me!

 

[RUM4MO]

Sorry for missing this one, no there is nothing to lock the inner "junction" - the old one did not seem too tight when I took it off. If you are worried, use some blue locking compound, remember, the articulated joint is quite stiff as far as resistance to rotation is concerned and the inner of the rack will not rotate, is probably there is no problem, so that is why there is no locking washer etc.

Remember, that you will not be able to reuse the outer bellows tie as I found the Lemforder track rods are slightly bigger diameter than original and these constant tension(?) clips/ties are very size specific - I just used plastic tie wraps, the issue here is, after you have fitted it and found the ties are too small, you really don't want to take it apart again when you have got the right size of ties, I've seen them on ebay. The outer clips can be reused or buy new from VAG and fit later - either way fitting the big (inner) clip is a bit demanding but possible - I think that I found cutting the old one was the easier way to remove the bellows.

 

[Arkaig]

Thanks.

I suppose you don't see a lot of Polos in ditches, wheels asplay, so I defer to the designer's greater knowledge. Given all the warnings about not reusing stretch bolts and using correct torques, I assumed a component in nearly constant motion should have something keeping it screwed on! Not to mention whenever an alignment is done the inner rod will be rotated.

I suppose it will give some obvious warning signs in the form of alignment problems if it starts to unwind.

Now lets hope this 33-42mm tool is snug enough on the lemforder rods which measure in at 32.7mm..

 

[RUM4MO]

Now lets hope this 33-42mm tool is snug enough on the lemforder rods which measure in at 32.7mm..

If not, grab a tin of Heinz's best, tip them down your throat - warm or cold, clean up and cut up the tin and bend a bit round the knuckle??? (all this should be done out of doors for health reasons)

I do remember back in the old days, replacing the nylon seat and spring in a Ford Escort track rod, and that was locked by drilling a hole where the mating parts butted up and tapping a dowel in to lock it.

 

[Arkaig]

Haha! My mind was going through what I could possibly use to pad it out, was thinking either a bit of old aux belt or some titanium foil I have left over from building a camping stove. Then again a 568ml stella can might grip well, once emptied