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Post by OlafR on Sept 15, 2019 11:03:06 GMT
Good afternoon, gentlemen,
In April 2017 I had a local garage (allegedly a specialist for British car) replace 4 of the 6 TREs. The remaining 2 weren't replaced because I didn't know there were 6 (a stupid workshop that was!), so these got replaced last year.
Last week I was at a different garage to have a few things fixed. The owner told me that all 6 TREs have excessive play and one is even torn.
I purchased them from Wadhams - is it just that the quality is underwhelming? Are there any (better) alternatives?
Cheers, Olaf
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Post by Jens Munk on Sept 15, 2019 12:02:55 GMT
I have had the exact same experience with the TRE's from JRW. Replaced some of the TRE's when I was replacing the all the suspension bushings and then later they were rejected at inspection. A closer examination revealed that they were really crudely made. The ball looked like it had been machined by hand with an angle grinder.
Amsteer have what you need and the quality is excellent:
www.amsteer.co.uk/Rover%20Car%20Parts
Good afternoon, gentlemen,
In April 2017 I had a local garage (allegedly a specialist for British car) replace 4 of the 6 TREs. The remaining 2 weren't replaced because I didn't know there were 6 (a stupid workshop that was!), so these got replaced last year.
Last week I was at a different garage to have a few things fixed. The owner told me that all 6 TREs have excessive play and one is even torn.
I purchased them from Wadhams - is it just that the quality is underwhelming? Are there any (better) alternatives?
Cheers, Olaf
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Post by OlafR on Sept 15, 2019 13:32:14 GMT
Had you filed a complain with Wadhams? I mean, we're roughly talking about £200, work excluded! The least would be to get the money for the 6 TREs back!
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Post by Jens Munk on Sept 15, 2019 15:00:50 GMT
No I didn't. It was a while after the purchase I found out and I didn't fancy going through the hassle. I was more concerned about finding a replacement in time to avoid a fine for late inspection approval.
Jens.
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Post by enigmas on Sept 15, 2019 22:53:09 GMT
This may be no consolation guys but my 1966 MK3 still runs the original track rod ends...and the car was used for over 20 years as a daily driver. I do have spares but those were removed from wrecked P5s and are original but obviously second hand and still in good condition. I tap the back for a grease nipple then compress the ball joint in a vice and pump in some heavy duty grease. The Factory track rod ends seem to last forever if you do this. Dried up grease is no longer a viable lubricant so the ball joints erode.
Note. If you remove a track rod end (obviously still in good condition) and compress it in a vice you can manually force grease or heavy lubricant into the housing. Then remove the piece and physical manipulate it around it's housing to work the lubricant through.
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Post by djm16 on Sept 18, 2019 0:28:22 GMT
A polite email to Wadhams is in order, expressing your disappointment that their part failed within 2y. I you do not let him know, how else will he find out that he needs to look for better stock?
FWIW, I also tap each TRE for a grease nipple, and grease all the TREs around annually, along with the UJs.
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Post by Brendan69 on Sept 18, 2019 9:59:02 GMT
Good luck with an email to JRW. The last one I sent had a short reply which went something like this " well we have been supplying for over 30 years and never had an issue " .
Most helpful.
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Post by OlafR on Oct 25, 2019 9:28:57 GMT
I've been discussing this with Jon Wadhams over the past weeks. Interestingly, some (!) of the TREs he supplies were from Amsteer!
This leaves me pretty much desperate as I don't know where to order new ones if both suppliers provide material in less than usable quality. I wouldn't very much mind having to change them more often, but from what I had to experience, they're scrap to begin with.
Any hints from you guys? If not I'll have to order from Amsteer and inspect them closely when they arrive. Not all too promising I suppose.
Cheers, Olaf
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Oct 25, 2019 9:40:19 GMT
I've been discussing this with Jon Wadhams over the past weeks. Interestingly, some (!) of the TREs he supplies were from Amsteer!
This leaves me pretty much desperate as I don't know where to order new ones if both suppliers provide material in less than usable quality. I wouldn't very much mind having to change them more often, but from what I had to experience, they're scrap to begin with. Any hints from you guys? If not I'll have to order from Amsteer and inspect them closely when they arrive. Not all too promising I suppose. Cheers, Olaf
Nothing wrong IMHO with Amsteer Olaf the shape is different in the casting one thing better is OEM "when" they come up!
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Post by Jens Munk on Oct 25, 2019 9:41:20 GMT
I would order from Amsteer. When you get them, take the rubber boot of and inspect what you can see of the ball. From personal experience there is no doubt whether it is properly made or not.
Jens.
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Post by enigmas on Oct 25, 2019 13:24:14 GMT
Rather than purchase repro rubbish if that's all that's available has anyone bothered to cross reference tie rod ends from the major car and light truck manufacturers for anything suitable.
Olaf...truly you're better off looking for a good second hand set from a wrecked or dismantled P5 if the repro versions are poor quality. Simply, clean, regrease and fit a new boot. Over the years I've removed several very grotty looking examples that are still viable as replacements. Their longevity I'm sure has to do with better metallurgy.
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Post by johnwp5bcoupe on Oct 25, 2019 15:07:20 GMT
Amsteer have been about a long time Vince and they do a good product AMSTEERI get your point about refurbishing
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Post by Phil Nottingham on Oct 26, 2019 10:30:07 GMT
The OEM Rover parts last years as long as dirt has not got in through perished boots. The later QH TREs did not last long either - I always bought some at AJs when I saw them but they are almost gone as I have used very many!
I have some Amsteer I tried years ago but I did not like the quality so have not fitted them yet. Perehaps they are better now.
I have never been able to find an equivalent either.
I am not convinced the aftermarket ones are strong enough anyway especially on the much heavier 3 litre Auto with power steering. The P4/LR ones are much better and longer lasting but are male ended
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Post by Ken Nelson on Oct 27, 2019 17:38:44 GMT
I am planning to replace radius arm bushes along with tie rod and ball joint bushes on the front suspension of my Rover. I see poor quality in reproduced rubber bits for all of my British cars (4) and am concerned about failure in a year or two. I note that companies also make polyurethane replacement boots for modern cars and am thinking of looking into finding a matching size for the Rover. Has anyone tried this type of boot, and if so what were your experiences?
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Post by djm16 on Oct 28, 2019 4:57:03 GMT
I have urethane boots fitted to two of my Rovers, and so far so good (approx. 2 years). I bought them on eBay from Eastern Europe.
I also bought a set of Mercedes boots that happened to be the right size for my P4 - again so far so good.
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Post by Ken Nelson on Oct 28, 2019 16:14:09 GMT
Do you have a source and/or part numbers for the urethane boots? The modern car ones I see just slip over the casting part of the tie rod, whereas the old rubber ones had a spring securing the top and bottom in a notch. Is that needed? Attachments:
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Post by Ken Nelson on Nov 9, 2019 21:56:47 GMT
I'm making slow progress on my project to replace all the radius arm bushings, ball joint and tie rod end boots on my P5. I finally got the bottom ball joint free (see before and after pictures below-before is the bottom one) on the left front suspension and am now trying to find universal urethane boots and bushings for them. A company called Energy Suspension seems the best option to look at- does anyone have other information on polyurethane boots???
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Post by djm16 on Nov 10, 2019 13:05:14 GMT
Do you have a source and/or part numbers for the urethane boots? Read more: roverp5.proboards.com/thread/11325/track-rod-ends-tres#ixzz64sadW4d8No, you just have to measure top / bottom / height and pick the closest. I also re-used the spring retainers from the old boots. The ball jt boots I had from Wadhams are still in good order (and filled with oil).
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Post by Ken Nelson on Nov 10, 2019 15:47:53 GMT
Hi DJM16, I have searched around and come up with these polyurethane boots from energy suspension (part #19-1832) that may work, but they are not designed to have springs hold them in place top and bottom, so not sure they will seal OK. The top only fits snugly if I reuse the metal ring from the original boots. I haven't put them on the car yet-they're a bit tall, but should compress. I'm also waiting for another potential set to arrive from Bulgaria to compare. I've had such bad luck with retro rubber for my MGA and Riley that I'm hesitant to use rubber ones. Do you think these look workable?? Attachments:
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Post by djm16 on Nov 11, 2019 6:15:02 GMT
Hi. I looked at these too, but I decided against them as I could not find at the time a set with close enough dimensions. What I actually used were the clear boots, probably the same as the silicon ones you have coming from Bulgaria.
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Post by Ken Nelson on Nov 11, 2019 14:01:45 GMT
Thanks, I'll post how the Bulgarian ones look for me when they arrive. Have yours worked out well?
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Post by djm16 on Nov 11, 2019 23:08:20 GMT
My clear boots have been fine for several years now.
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Post by Ken Nelson on Nov 11, 2019 23:14:00 GMT
Good to hear! Thanks.
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Post by enigmas on Nov 12, 2019 4:28:12 GMT
Could we get a source and contact for the viable 'grease' boots guys?
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Post by Ken Nelson on Nov 12, 2019 19:55:57 GMT
As above, I obtained these red bushings from Energy Suspension at www.energysuspensionparts.com/universal-dust-boots.asp and they were part #19-832 but I have not put them on the car yet. I haven't received the boots from Bulgaria yet, but the company is Polyboots at polyboots.com/ and the size I ordered are 19x40x42 mm. Both products are advertised on eBay.com
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