Hi folks, I have a problem sourcing the "correct" length track rods for my 2005 Fabia vRS 1.9 that some of you knowledgeable technical people might be able to solve for me.
It failed an inspection due to excessive play on the inner track rod ball joints. I found a Jonnesway Inner tie rod removal tool, part number NO.AN010091A and used the 1+1/4" crows foot spanner end to undo both inner track rods from the steering rack (with the track rod ends off and the boots off, this was a two minute job each side - the inner boots however were a sod to get off due to lack of access to the clamps). Both inner track rod ball joint nuts measure 31.8mm across flats so the 1+ 1/4" crows foot is a pretty good fit. Both outer track rod ends were engaged 20 turns on the M14 x 1.5mm pitch inner track rod threads i.e. there was 30mm of engagement of each track rod end onto the inner track rod thread. Both existing track rods are near enough to 313mm long. One is marked Delphi TJ21G and the other is marked "WD307104" and neither have any other markings - i cannot find either of these part numbers on the generally trusty interweb. For some reason, the 30 is stamped in half sized letters compared to the WD and the 7014. The track rod ends are both marked TRW WD3 and both have the Audi emblem embossed on them - one is stamped "C" and the other is stamped "D" and they are opposite handed. I have spoken to a few Skoda dealers both in New Zealand and Australia about replacement inner track rods and they all come up with an inner track rod length of 297mm. The steering rack is marked TRW 023-0080-051-001. The supposedly "correct" inner track rod can thus only engage 313mm - 297mm = 16mm less than the existing rods. 16mm less than 30mm is 14mm which is the diameter of the thread. This doesn't quite seem enough to me - it's probably just about long enough but i would be much more comfortable having more engagement. If anyone can shed any light on this apparent anomaly i will be grateful. Many thanks Halsey
