Tie rod (track rod) end won't fit

I am having problems with my track rod ends (outer tie rod ends) because the ones I have bought seem too small. I have now bought two sets of TREs (one set form MaseratiSource and one set from Superformance and in both cases the conical part does not fit snugly into the steering arm, it is too loose. I have the same problem on both sides of the car and both of my steering arms are undamaged. I created the diagram below to help explain the problem. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Does anyone have any suggestions on I can overcome the issue?
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Yes, it is an E-series. This is very strange. I checked with Maranello Classic Spares here in the UK and they are saying exactly the same as you. It could have had the steering arms modified sometime in the past but they both appear to be original fittings, or maybe someone has fitted incorrect TREs in the past that were too small and these moved around and enlarged the steering arm holes a little.

I guess the question is how to correct this issue.....

I have somebody looking at making some custom TREs for me. Somebody else suggested making a thin sleeve out of aluminium foil and using this to fill the gap between the steering arm and the TRE (they reckoned that once tightened there should be no movement between the parts and so no wear on the foil sleeve with the ball-joint itself providing the wear point).

Any alternative suggestions welcome.

 

#05898 - it's a 73 246GT euro

 

Andrew - Hope you managed to miss the flooding OK. Sounds like a scary time. Your measurements for the arm would fit with the new TREs I have but are different from the measurements on my arms.

Timo - I am reluctant to use the idea of a shim as it just feels wrong to me but your suggestion of stainless shim stock is very valid if I do need to go this route. Thanks.

I had a conversation with Maranello Classic Spares and they measured the TREs they have in stock for the 246 and they are just the same as the new ones I have. They also have one steering arm available and checked that their TREs fit this arm correctly (and even sent me photos to show they do). Next they measured the TREs they have for BB/TR/328 (these all use the same TREs) and these seem to match the measurements that I need. They are sending me a couple of these TREs overnight so I can check their fitment. I am hoping that they will be what I need and that somehow my car was fitted with 365BB steering arms.

I am pretty certain that the arms are original. They certainly do not look to have been removed from the hub at any time. I have refurbished all the suspension and recall particularly noting this when I was media cleaning the hub, in fact I decided not to split these from the hub at that time simply because they looked original and undamaged. I have the equipment (press, heat etc) to change them if necessary but I am hoping it doesn't come to that. Finding two new steering arms is unlikely to be easy and quite expensive, plus I don't really want to have to strip the hubs down again.

 

The BB/TR/328 TREs arrived today and fitted fine, I'm really pleased and a owe a big thank you to Scott at Maranello Classic Spares for taking the time to go through his stock and take measurements. I've made a big note in the history file concerning this so that I don't forget and future owners are made aware.

TonyL - SF say I should have the modified starter on Saturday. To explain to other members, I bought a hi-torque starter from Superformance and it would not comfortably fit under my exhaust headers - it was just touching the headers and there was no room for the heat shield. To fit correctly it needed to be rotated on its axis so I marked the correct position and returned it to SF who then had the manufacturer modify the mounting plate. I haven't seen the modified unit yet but I am hoping it will fit correctly now. They say they have supplied many of these units and they usually fit OK. However my car is a standard euro-spec E-series car. I think TonyL had a similar issue with a hi-torque starter that was supplied by a different manufacturer so it is not a unique problem. Photos available if anyone is interested.