Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

6 replies [Last post]
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 12:24
heisenberg
heisenberg's picture
Offline
Joined: 14.08.2013
Location: Belfast
GWOA Groups: Members

Can anyone help me out...

I have just bought a new Track Rod End from MB Belfast Parts and once I got my mechanic to remove the old one the new part is a shorter and does not a match the original. 

Any help or feedback would be very helpful.

 

Top
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 15:39
#1
gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

Hi

Difficult from the pics to see why it is wrong?

What is too short?

If you can supply the Chassis Number and the Part Number they have supplied i can check you have the correct one etc.

I guess if he overall length of the bar is too short, some early 463's have a widened track by 50mm

If this is the issue then they have supplied the incorrect bar

Gav

Top
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 15:45
#2
gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

If you have part numbers of either...

A463 330 05 03 or A463 330 06 03 you have the narrow standard 463 track rod

or

A463 330 03 03 or A463 330 04 03 is the one for widened track

Cheers

Gav

Top
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 17:39
#3
Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

For a moment I had thought the drag link (d/link) could fit, if the tie rod adjustment were to be wound in, perhaps having enough adjustment for tracking. As your photo is not taken square on; provided the bent part of the link is of exact match, I feel it could fit.

I would wait on Gav's confirmation though. 

 

Top
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 21:30
#4
gav.helme
gav.helme's picture
Offline
Joined: 29.04.2011
Location: North Lincolnshire
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

Hi Rakesh

I thought that at first, but its the other end, if you look at the pressed bend in the second picture it lines up.

But the fixed / crimped end it then too short.

I guess the overall length is OK but if you adjusted up from the other end it would put the bent section in the wrong place?

If you look at the first picture (i presume the fixed ends are aligned out of shot) and the main part of the solid bar is too short.

I would for sure say that it is the Wheel to Wheel Track Rod rather than the Wheel to Pitman Arm Steering Drag Link.

I would also say it is a good case of "a little knowledge is dangerous"

The track rod they have ordered is the standard none widened track version, they don't understand how to work the MB EPC and it has caught the dealer out as they have missed the fact that the vehicle was modified at the factory with wider track and has a different track rod, along with other components. The wider rod is shown on a SA or Special Version page.

Anybody trained on EPC in the last 10 years or so and used to only working on cars under 12 years old will be prone to making this mistake, when you worked on MicroFiche for years before EPC you understand the pitfalls of these older MB products :)

Gav

Top
Wed, 14/08/2013 - 21:34
#5
JASONGDS
JASONGDS's picture
Offline
Joined: 15.07.2011
Location: High Peak
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

I hope they take it back?

Top
Thu, 15/08/2013 - 09:48
#6
Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: Replacing Track Rod Ends on my 300GD

Hi Gav,

Now it is that is precise the skill and talent the forum and myself trust in you. Thank you for being a member - a shear star  cool

However, I would have expected that in modern times of EPC, the program would filter out information or choices not relevant to the vehicle and particular to the chassis number entered. Maybe, M/Benz are not that sophisticated?

Top