26-03-2020, 12:01 AM
I have many Track rods here both assembled and disassembled. All of them that are undisturbed have hardened steel pins and bushes in the track rod arms and were like that from new.. The pins are retained by small bicycle type cotters with nuts located in machined in the pins.
Austin engineers knew what they were doing
Most of those which have had replacements in Bronze show bell mouthing and wear.
It is common practice for hardened steel to be used on pins and bushes subjected to radial loads.
A good example is in press tool engineering where pins and bushes locate the punches and dies accurately.
Hardened steel is very resistant to plastic deformation, which bronze is not, this especially so with the very small bearing area encountered on the track rod arm bushes.
I reiterate that to get a lasting repair the king pins and the track rod end assemblies must be in a parallel and vertical alignment to each other, to get smooth and lasting service.
90% of the axles I have worked on I have found the kingpins both skewed looking across the car and toed in or out from the front.
Sometimes only one is the culprit.
This needs checking accurately on a surface table using 12 inch long close fitting pins in the radius rod holes.
This will show if the axle is twisted if they don't lie flat on the table .
If they are OK sit the axle on these pins and insert dummy kingpins in their holes. Sighting the kingpins with a precision square off the table will show how much your axle is bent and where. They should be vertical in both planes if you are extremely lucky.
Straightening needs careful use of a hydraulic press and heating to 600C if the damage is severe to relieve stresses.
Repairs to the Axle eyes should be done by experienced welders with metallurgy knowledge for safeties sake
Attention to detail here will transform the steering and tyre wear will be improved.
I hope this helps
Austin engineers knew what they were doing
Most of those which have had replacements in Bronze show bell mouthing and wear.
It is common practice for hardened steel to be used on pins and bushes subjected to radial loads.
A good example is in press tool engineering where pins and bushes locate the punches and dies accurately.
Hardened steel is very resistant to plastic deformation, which bronze is not, this especially so with the very small bearing area encountered on the track rod arm bushes.
I reiterate that to get a lasting repair the king pins and the track rod end assemblies must be in a parallel and vertical alignment to each other, to get smooth and lasting service.
90% of the axles I have worked on I have found the kingpins both skewed looking across the car and toed in or out from the front.
Sometimes only one is the culprit.
This needs checking accurately on a surface table using 12 inch long close fitting pins in the radius rod holes.
This will show if the axle is twisted if they don't lie flat on the table .
If they are OK sit the axle on these pins and insert dummy kingpins in their holes. Sighting the kingpins with a precision square off the table will show how much your axle is bent and where. They should be vertical in both planes if you are extremely lucky.
Straightening needs careful use of a hydraulic press and heating to 600C if the damage is severe to relieve stresses.
Repairs to the Axle eyes should be done by experienced welders with metallurgy knowledge for safeties sake
Attention to detail here will transform the steering and tyre wear will be improved.
I hope this helps