Does anyone know how to tighten track rod ends, because when I tighten mine the bolt just spins aswell as the nut. I've already tried using a jack to put some weight on to it, to try and stop it spinning but it doesn't seem to work.

I've got a mk3 breadvan.

Cheers, Pete

i had to change mine on my polo mk4 it usually screw the track rod end on then using the other bolt 2 tighten them together but if its the ball joint thats spining tryin 2 hit it with a soft hammer if tht dont work just buy a new one thy are cheap at about £7

get a clamp (like a g clamp) and clamp it to the strut so you are holding it in and then you shoud manage to get the nut off.

or cut a bit of wood and put it betwean the ground and the bottom of the trackrod end then lower the jack and use the wait of the car to hold the trackrod end in the strut. (dont put all the wait of the car on it just as much as you nead)

cos the track rod eny is taperd so if its cept it is easyer to remove the nut. hope all this makes sence

airgun

airgun

Wow. lol there should be two bolts that tighten against each other. Like said above.

not on a mk3 there isn't. I normally get a block of wood and use a jack to jack it up under the ball joint pushing it into the steering arm on the strut.

not on a mk3 there isn't. I normally get a block of wood and use a jack to jack it up under the ball joint pushing it into the steering arm on the strut.

That normally does the trick.

If it doesn't, then you can turn a decent set of ball joint seperators upside down to press the chamfer into the strut arm more.

Large mole grips have always worked for me. Clamp the strut and joint proper tight together with them,then the nut should turn.

Cleaning the thread with a Dremmel wire wheel can make it easier to unscrew the nut over it,too.

Large mole grips have always worked for me. Clamp the strut and joint proper tight together with them,then the nut should turn.

Cleaning the thread with a Dremmel wire wheel can make it easier to unscrew the nut over it,too.

Cheers for the replies, I think i'll give this one a go.

Edited 16 November, 200916 yr by Pete93

not on a mk3 there isn't. I normally get a block of wood and use a jack to jack it up under the ball joint pushing it into the steering arm on the strut.

I've tried that but it the bolt kept on spinning. cheers for the tip though.

Large mole grips have always worked for me. Clamp the strut and joint proper tight together with them,then the nut should turn.

Cleaning the thread with a Dremmel wire wheel can make it easier to unscrew the nut over it,too.

Always worked for me too.

Just replace it. Ball joints should normally be replaced after seperating anyway. They are pretty cheap and i guarantee a new one wont spin round.

Just replace it. Ball joints should normally be replaced after seperating anyway. They are pretty cheap and i guarantee a new one wont spin round.

Where can you find a replacement from?

Any car parts place, GSF, Eurocarparts, your local factors, wherever.

I use the put the weight of the car on the underside of it using a bit of wood approach myself. Air ratchet helps too if you can lay your hands on one.

Edit: To Illustrate the none-health and safety approved method

Or a tip which could help you is to put a foil from a cigarette packet around the tapered bit, normwally gives you that tiny bit more friction you need to tighten the bolt.

Thanks everyone, problem sorted.

what yeti posted is exactly what I do. It sometimes requires the full weight of the car to stop spinning, i.e. it actually lifts the car body off the axle stand.