Car: 6N2 1.4 Petrol, 8 valve, 146,000 miles.  My level of experience: Genreal servicing - Oil, Filters etc. , Cam Belt and Water Pump, Rear Drum Brakes Complete Overhaul.

 

Hello all.

 

Checking the front brakes (Now ready for complete overhaul) and wheel bearing play and found drivers side Track Rod end Balljoint very sloppy and knocking.  I can see the rubber on the joint has a big cut in it so obviously moisture has got in.

 

Ok sounds like an easy job? However, when I had the tracking done last (after wishbone replacement) the guys had a really difficult job to get the adjustment moving due to corrosion (probably cos I very rarely get tracking done as tyre ware is always good.)  They had a lot more heat than I have access to. I'm gonna start with the PlusGas daily (as recommended on here before) but don't think my chances are good of getting the thing free again.  My attempt would be in a few weeks.

 

So options:

 

1) If can't get loose: Saw the balljoint end off and get the tool to take the inner Track Rod out and replace the whole lot.  Is that an easy job on this car??  Will the rod be easy to saw?

 

2) Take it to a garage that can get enough heat on it to take the balljoint off?

 

I've got a garage that can do the second option and it won't cost a lot but if someone told me option one was simple then I may give it a try just to continue to build my experience.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

if youre worried a decent garage shouldnt charge silly amounts

 

but yeah wire brush it and soak with plus gas daily...if you cant undo it from the rod i would a 1mm cutinng disc to slice into lengthwise , once its slit it should release and move , fit a new nut and the end with some copper grease

 

never done an inner track rod on a polo, but in general they can be alkward so try to avoid that  

Thanks steveo.  So you mean cut into the length of the outer/balljoint - the actual sleeve where it butts up to the locking nut?  Cut through to the rod threads - and that should release it?  Should I avoid cutting as deep as the threads or does it need to go all the way through?