Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: bigjeepzj on June 29, 2014, 11:50:13 AM

Title: talk to me about track rods
Post by: bigjeepzj on June 29, 2014, 11:50:13 AM

Looking to make upgraded track rods for the ZJ to WJ steering mod.
so looking at getting 31.75mm OD with 6.35mm wall thinkness
any thoughts welcome

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: wildwood on June 29, 2014, 11:58:30 AM

Nice thick wall thickness.......should do .
Wall thickness for 4 link is recommended as 1/4" so should do :icon_super:

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: JamesH on June 29, 2014, 12:42:22 PM

Track rod - just to confirm do you mean the one known as Panhard rod if being English? I had a confusing conversation about this before and it's good to  check first.

My Panhard rod / trackbar isn't that thick because it's unlikely to get hit by stuff. It's also straight because of the over axle conversion. From memory it's stainless 45mm ish OD and 2.5-3mm wall.

The tie-rod is more vulnerable (and in English I think this is called the track bar sometimes). Mine is 1.25" 3/8" wall (31mm, 9mm wall).

For either your tube choice sounds fine.

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: donk498 on June 29, 2014, 08:47:25 PM

I've always known panhard rod- locates axle laterally, drag link - steering box to wheel, track rod - links wheels. I know slightly differant with Y-link but you get the idea. 6.3mm wall will be fine for any of the above.

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: Dave69 on June 29, 2014, 09:04:35 PM

dont you mean this

track rod - the bendy bit of steel tube that connects the Track rod ends to the wheel hubs.

6.5mm wall thickness, just need to upgrade the rest of the jeep to suit

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: JamesH on June 29, 2014, 09:19:43 PM

Yank translation then - Track bar (US) is Panhard Rod (UK), Tie Rod (US) is Track Rod (UK), Drag link the same.

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: bigjeepzj on June 29, 2014, 09:23:37 PM

the rest of the jeep is upgraded.
the steering is a bit of a weak point and so are the brakes.
that's why the wj knuckle up grade
so want to make  upgraded track/tie rod and drag link.

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: JamesH on June 29, 2014, 10:01:30 PM

Talk to Daggie about what he's just done with his. I ordered pre-made parts when I did mine but it's not essential, you will need a 24mm tap, ideally both RH and LH thread versions. Getting rid of the Y link steering and bendy bars does help. So does an over axle panhard bar mounting and lower angles. Next on my list is to finish a panhard bracket (body end) brace to further reduce flex in the front end.

Title: Re: talk to me about track rods
Post by: bigjeepzj on June 29, 2014, 10:08:26 PM

panhard and bracket are up-rated