DIY wishbone and track rod end replacement?

[Ricochet J]

The OSF wishbone and trackrod end needs replacing. I've got axle stands and other stuff to access the car.

Instead of paying the garage the labour my plan is to buy a decent ratchet set and replace the wishbone and trackrod ends myself. I'm reading online, they don't seem difficult.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with these?

Thanks

 

[InvaderGIR]

Not on a Focus, no (I recall you have a Focus).

TRE are easy to replace, wishbone is more of a pain but isn't too bad really...on the cars I've dealt with...Peugeots.

 

[Gribs]

It depends on what car it is but it's not generally a hard job.

 

[Ricochet J]

Not on a Focus, no (I recall you have a Focus)

You're correct it's a Focus.

 

[danb21t]

mark up the original position of the TRE before you change it, but ideally you will need to have it tracked/aligned

 

[Ricochet J]

Shall I go for official Ford part or would a generic brand one do? The Ford ones are £80 and £60 for the wishbone and track rod end.
However, generic parts are going for £18 and £7. That's a major difference!

 

[Ricochet J]

mark up the original position of the TRE before you change it, but ideally you will need to have it tracked/aligned

It needs tracking anyway. So I'll do it after I replace the parts.

 

[InvaderGIR]

It needs tracking anyway. So I'll do it after I replace the parts.

Try to get them lined up anyway, having it close what it currently has set is a good idea, don't want to make it very badly aligned.

Pattern parts should be fine to be honest, I only go for dealer parts when something is only available from them.

 

[Ricochet J]

Thanks Invader. Did you use the Haynes manual on your Peugeots? Or is the book as inaccurate as people say?

 

[Jonny69]

Easy job. I recommend getting a steel rule and once you're ready to take the trackrod end out take a measurement from say the edge of the boot on the rack to the centre of the track rod end. When you put the new one in make sure it's screwed in to the same length and you don't need to get it tracked

 

[dalin80]

Get a new ball joint pinch bolt in, ford ones aren't too reliable to remove and you don't want to be stuck with the car in the air for a couple of days while you try to track a silly £1 nut and bolt.

 

[InvaderGIR]

Thanks Invader. Did you use the Haynes manual on your Peugeots? Or is the book as inaccurate as people say?

I always have a Haynes, it's helpful to get the general idea of what you are doing...then do it your own way.