Tom,
Right.
I was concerned that his hard bolted end had come loose. It could be a disaster.
You are correct that the rubber mounted end, even if the rubber part goes bad (which is the usual failure mode), is not unsafe - noisy and clunky, but not unsafe.
Bobby
There is definitely a track rod on each side of the 126 front end. I don't know about the 123s.The track rod is rubber mounted to the body and hard bolted to the suspension. The rubber ages, breaks, and starts to allow a "clunking" noise. I do not believe that it is unsafe, but it DOES mess with the alignment, so you get tire wear problems. And the clunking noise is bad over rough surfaces, railroad tracks, etc.Replacing the track rods is NOT a home project.Tom'81 300SD, 350,6++ miles. New track rods less that 100,000 miles ago.In a message dated 7/20/2011 11:26:59 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, liberty1@gmail.com writes:Dean,
I don't remember a track rod on my MB and I did not see one in the video, but if it is like the one on most cars - please do not drive it until you have tightened it up.
I think track rods are usually a solid bolted connection to the suspension arm and there is not supposed to be any relative motion between the track rod and the suspension arm - therefore, no noise will be generated. If there is, the nut has loosened and may soon fall off. Then the suspension could twist out of shape. Most track rods have two rubber biscuits on the other end - they can make noise.
I think I am sending you on a red herring chase, because I don't think there is a track rod, but if there is one, it must be bolted tight at all times.
Bobby
--
Toward freedom,
Bobby Yates Emory
No comments:
Post a Comment