308 tie rod ends | FerrariChat

308 tie rod ends

Discussion in '308/328' started by johnny308, Aug 2, 2017.

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  1. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Listers,

    Today I decided to do normal maintenance only 1982 308. Thought I would have a look at the tie rod ends and replace them if needed.

    I checked the DIY cross reference and there was an offering. The local guy stocks MOOG and had the items on the shelf. They do NOT fit, at least on my 308 !

    The thread size seems all wrong and the thread on the inner tie rod for adjustment is kinda short. Using the suggested MOOG part would leave my car with a couple of inches toe out. Even if the threads were correct.

    Is the cross reference number correct?
     
  2. johnhunt

    johnhunt Formula Junior

    Aug 9, 2013
    343
    Washington
    Full Name:
    John Hunt
  3. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    1,337
    Encino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Carl T
    Yup this is the source. BTW, since when does normal maintenance turn into replacing tie rod ends ? ;)
     
  4. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Hey,

    Welllll I was suspicious so I looked and thought it best........ and so it goes.....
     
  5. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    1,337
    Encino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Carl T
    I get it.... the ol' while I'm in there I might as well..... Anyway most likely needed.
     
  6. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jun 2, 2004
    2,666
    Essex, UK
    Full Name:
    Andy M
    It probably doesn't help you, as I'm in the UK - but when I replaced mine, I simply bought the same ones as used on a 1970's Mini. (They used the same steering rack). Off Ebay, very cheap.
     
    SJP 5 likes this.
  7. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Good Morning,

    I have been following your tip and what I have found so far is the part listed with internal inch 5/8 thread. I have not checked the Ferrari but I just assumed it is metric. Around 8:00 EST Northeast USA I will check. Hummmmm perhaps the rack is the same but the external fitting are changed per make of car. any chance you could get me a part #. Thank You.
     
  8. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jun 2, 2004
    2,666
    Essex, UK
    Full Name:
    Andy M
  9. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Good Morning,

    any chance you can confirm the thread. The Ferrari is metric.
     
  10. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jun 2, 2004
    2,666
    Essex, UK
    Full Name:
    Andy M
    No, sorry.
    I did this job 2 years ago. But they were the parts that I bought and used.
     
  11. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 24, 2005
    1,632
    NY
    Full Name:
    David
    My tie rod ends external threads are imperial for sure. It's one of the few bolts on the car that's not metric. I don't know about the internal thread where it attaches to the tie rods but I'd assume they are imperial too. Our steering racks were made in the U.K. in the seventies. Metric was not prevalent.
     
  12. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Good Morning Listers,

    YES the rod ends are INCH. Big surprise. Now to find what fits or give it up and buy from one of the parts guys.

    For the record it seems the female inner is 1/2 X 20 thread and the tapered pin is 3/8 x 24 thread.

    MANT THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED!
     
  13. Owens84QV

    Owens84QV F1 Rookie

    Oct 2, 2001
    4,486
    Somewhere in NC
    Full Name:
    Greg
    Yes... 3/8-24 threads. Just did mine, 20 minute job to do both sides.
     
    WmacMI likes this.
  14. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 24, 2005
    1,632
    NY
    Full Name:
    David

    If you can get them off the steering knuckle [emoji3]
     
  15. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Listers,

    I have a complete shop and removing them is straight forward. I have only one side off as I wait for the parts. It took about three moments and if I really needed to move the car I could put the old joint back in but the boot does have damage which again in a pinch....could be reused.

    Thank You all for the info and support.
     
  16. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Please what do you use for toe in spec's.

    I will try 1/16. ???
     
  17. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 24, 2005
    1,632
    NY
    Full Name:
    David

    Currently I have the factory 16" wheel spec... so around 3mm total toe-in

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Listers,

    As several have suggested there is an alternative joint that will fit the 308. It comes from the classic MINI and it is close. The MINI units I have are 10 thou larger at the bottom of the taper pin. They will not fit as deep into the steering arm as the stock original Ferrari part.

    I have installed one side and set the toe at 1/16.

    Am I satisfied ....... ? Well I do not think the MINI joint will ever come out BUT ?

    Anyone have any thoughts?
     
  19. samsaprunoff

    samsaprunoff F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2004
    4,456
    Edmonton, AB Canada
    Full Name:
    Sam Saprunoff
    Good day Johnny,

    Good info. I would be curious if the "new" Ferrari ball joints are the same as your originals or are they closer to that used on the Mini? Who knows... maybe this slight variation is what is currently offered by the various Ferrari part suppliers?

    Cheers,

    Sam
     
  20. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Hello,

    I am wishing that someone has a new FERRARI joint and can measure it. I will come back in a bit with the measures of the joint I took out and the MINI joint
     
  21. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Listers,

    Measurements. Old at the start of thread .460. Top of taper. 503

    New SOT. 478. TOT. 512

    I am not sure I like this. Perhaps someone can offer insight.

    Will call one of the Ferrari parts guys in the morning.

    Comments please !!
     
  22. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    The measurement would mean start to taper at top of the thread.
     
  23. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

    Feb 7, 2011
    2,775
    London
    Are they actually the same as the Mini and not the Triumph Herald/Spitfire/MG Midget/Lotus Elan which are slightly different?

    Seem to recall many years ago having the same problem on an Elan. Although all the steering parts were made by Cam Gears Ltd they had slight differences.
     
  24. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    The vendor I got them from listed them as MINI parts and I was working off info from some Brits as you can see the above.
     
  25. johnny308

    johnny308 Karting

    Dec 3, 2011
    151
    Greenfield, MA. USA
    Listers,

    The "new" tie rods are installed. Toe set at 1/16 in.

    From above you can see I tried to use an offering that was to fit the Classic Mini and was recommended by some British folks. Please with all possible respect I tried this part in the 308 and I cannot offer it as a good fit for the 308. When measured the Mini tapered pin only made about 1/2 distance into the Ferrari steering arm hole. I thought the part looked great but just did not fit well enough.

    For me when it come to brakes and steering there is only "correct" not ....good enough.

    The parts I used came from: Italian Car Parts | Ferrari Parts | Alfa Romeo Parts | Maserati Parts in New Jersey USA. The parts were PERFECT
    replacements for the units that came off the car. They were excellent to deal with and the parts arrived over night.
     

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