Track rod replacement=Steering pull?? | FerrariChat

Track rod replacement=Steering pull??

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by DrG., Jul 27, 2012.

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  1. DrG.

    DrG. Karting

    Jan 2, 2010
    184
    Limassol-CYPRUS
    Full Name:
    George Eleftheriou
    Hi all, last week I took my 2003 F360 Modena for the annual service. The technician suggested that a track rod end (ball?) needed to be replaced which would require a wheel alignment check afterwards. So they did, but when I went to collect my car and drove away, the steering was pulling to the LEFT...There was absolutely no problem with the steering before, it was 100% straight. They took it to a second shop for wh.alignment and I was told that even after that, there was some pull to the left. Now the car is back at the garage, where they are going to remove the new track rod, put it back paying some more attention this time and back for alignment........ANY thoughts??
     
  2. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2011
    2,085
    Mooresville, NC USA
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    #2 Matto, Jul 27, 2012
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2012
    I'm no 360 expert, but "track rod" sounds like it = "rack". They must have installed the tie rods/ball joints out of whack or fouled the alignment. If they refer to factory specs for parts and run a good alignment, it should be corrected. Primarily, severe pull would be in an excessive caster angle, but that's all alignment fundamentals. It's a little troubling that they can't find the problem. :) If the tie rod end was adjusted too far out on the left side or too far in on the right (or both), you'd have a left pull.....and so on. Somebody screwed up. You get the idea.

    It's a fairly straightforward hydraulically-boosted rack & pinion.

    http://www.trutlands.com/tav_full.php?tav=360_Spider_46

    Maybe they moved the entire rack, in its bushings/clamps? I want to believe that your steering rack isn't loose in there :) but you'd likely hear/feel some kind of thud as it shifted from one side to the other.
     
  3. DrG.

    DrG. Karting

    Jan 2, 2010
    184
    Limassol-CYPRUS
    Full Name:
    George Eleftheriou
    Immediately after driving away from the garage I noticed the steering pulling to the left. Before the service it was absolutely straight.
     
  4. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2011
    2,085
    Mooresville, NC USA
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    #4 Matto, Jul 27, 2012
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2012
    They should be able to backtrack and find what went wrong. I wouldn't accept it with any pull. If it checks out on two alignment racks in two shops and still pulls, it's a fundamental parts and assembly issue. Hopefully, they know what they're looking at :)

    Steering is covered starting on page 124 of the WSM PDF document: http://ferraridatabase.com/The_Downloads/Manuals_Workshop.htm

    But they don't cover teardown. The reason that I bring up the rack and mounts is that they could align the wheels ok....then if they had messed with the rack and it were to move at all (under load, as you drive)....you could easily have a pull happening. Disturbing possibility, but with that shop, I'd ask.
     
  5. DrG.

    DrG. Karting

    Jan 2, 2010
    184
    Limassol-CYPRUS
    Full Name:
    George Eleftheriou
    They said that they have reassembled now the track rod following factory guidelines, Monday goes for wheel alignment again and hopefully all is well...
     
  6. Matto

    Matto Formula 3

    Dec 26, 2011
    2,085
    Mooresville, NC USA
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    I hope so, best of luck to you.
     
  7. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,741
    Without trying to take the side of the mechanic::

    It seems to me that the wear on the track rod, by itself, could have cause the steering 'anomoly' simply from being a worn out part......Now for this conjecture
    to hold water, you car should have needed small alignment changes over the
    years and now that the part has been replaced, the new alignment is mearly
    undoing the accumulated wear pattern.

    Now taking the side of the consumer: The mechanic should have chaecked the
    steering on a short road test, and your report indicates he SHOULD have failed
    your car on this road test. Then gone on to fix the ride height, corner weighting,
    and alignments (in that order.) would you have declined any of these, the fault
    reverts to the consumer. {my opinion}
     
  8. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    29,252
    socal
    And if you are right mitch that gets into tire wear and tram lining discussion we had earlier and possibly more needing to get done to get the car tracking right again.
     

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