Had my Weitec Hicon GT coilovers fitted on Saturday, and my mechanic has informed me that I need new track rod ends and rear pads too.

Spoke to VW this morning, the rear pads are £22.80 all in, happy enough with that, but the track rod ends are £31.17 each, seems expensive to me???

My mechanic says that the VRS variants must be dealer only, as the motor factors he normally deals with can't get them in.

Had a look on Ebay, and there are loads that supposedly fit the VRS, can someone point me in the right direction please, or let me know where I can get them for less than £65 the pair - http://www.ebay.co.u...ack rod&_sop=15

Edit: according to the listing, these ones fit, can anyone confirm this for me please - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-BORA-AUDI-A3-SEAT-LEON-etc-OUTER-TRACK-TIE-ROD-END-ENDS-LEFT-RIGHT-PAIR-/350614959625?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AOctavia|Cars+Type%3ARS+1.8+T&hash=item51a247b609

I've got a complete n/s track rod brought from eurocarparts a few months back I'm selling for 25posted off my old vrs, pm me if that's any help

I've got a complete n/s track rod brought from eurocarparts a few months back I'm selling for 25posted off my old vrs, pm me if that's any help

Thanks for the offer, but I just need both ends and not the whole thing.

Stick with OEM ends. Others may vary in length and put your tracking further out (Febi and Mehle certainly vary). Although in reality, you should always have it checked properly when doing anything with regards to steering/suspension/bottom arms regardless.

Also vw parts have a 3 year warranty

mine were £30 odd (from TPS) each when i did mine. bite the bullet and get genuine ones. £60 aint alot really....

Thanks for the replies.

I'll be getting the tracking done as soon as I've got the new track rod ends fitted anyway, just waiting for a 'trade' price back from a mate who works for Audi.

Stick with OEM ends. Others may vary in length and put your tracking further out (Febi and Mehle certainly vary). Although in reality, you should always have it checked properly when doing anything with regards to steering/suspension/bottom arms regardless.

that's crazy....on this thinking you must use only OEM parst,all of them ,and from another point of view,we all think the clutch conversion from another engine,with different displacement with a complete different FW is a good thing, but an aftermarket rod end may be different on lenght .... :rofl:

And BTW,realignament is what you need after changing them,

that's crazy....on this thinking you must use only OEM parst,all of them ,and from another point of view,we all think the clutch conversion from another engine,with different displacement with a complete different FW is a good thing, but an aftermarket rod end may be different on lenght .... :rofl:

And BTW,realignament is what you need after changing them,

That's not quite what I'm saying. Some people aren't necessarily aware that they need to recheck the tracking (or often aren't prepared to pay for it), and a straight like for like swap is going to be in roughly the same position, as long as you mark where the end was (or count the number of turns). But do that with a different brand and you can be miles out on tracking.

With regards to drop links and ball joints though, I often find that aftermarket don't last as long, certainly when it comes to genuine ford or vw parts.

Realigment after new rod ends is a must,not an option.If someone change them and not realign the wheels is his mistake,is like changing the oil,and let the old filter.

On the other hand I have a good experience with TRW and Lemforder parts for suspension.Use them for allmost 4 years on my car,and they are good as new (confirmed by MOT 4 months ago),very satisfied.But I think I have a little secret....I change them all once in the same time.

But I think I have a little secret....I change them all once in the same time.

Ding Ding... we have a winner.

So many people just replace what they can see is obviously worn. If one ball joint is worn, the others may not be that far behind. Partial wear in one joint, can accelerate wear in another joint.

I am 100% with you on this. My trackrod ends were notably worn, my bottom ball joints seemed to be okay, but my suspension was coming out anyway. I damaged one of the drop links on removal as it was seized solid. The WHOLE LOT got replaced. Saves me worrying about it for a fair while to come.

Many people don't even think to look at the other end of the trackrod arms...

Ordered them into VW for pickup tomorrow, cheekily asked if I got any discount for being a member here, and he gave me 10% off, bonus!