Rear Track Control Arms - Bit of cunning

[cggrilli]

Cor Blimey they're stiff - can't undo them....

I have new tubes to put on (muppets in a gargae squashed the ones on there - so I made them buy me new ones), and I want to fiddle with the rear toe, to see what difference it makes on a track...but i can't move anything.

I undersatnd that the semi circular bits overlap inside the tube; these must be rusted together. What a silly design, IMO. Hmmm, maybe its like this to give the tube extra stiffness and stop it collapsing/buckling.

Figure what i'll do is cut the tubes (and semi-circular bits inside) in half and take them apart that way.

However, the inner one with the bush seems to be longer inside the tube than the ball joint end....

Anyone know how long the outer ball joint end is over all? This way I can make sure I'm not cutting any thread away.

I will then use a nut on the threads to lock in place (as well as the clamps), cos i won't have the semi circular bits anymore...

Ulness anyone has any other suggestions - tried oil for 3 days, heat, blood, sweat, not quite tears, but nearly there....

Many thanks

[Icsunonove]

Figure what i'll do is cut the tubes (and semi-circular bits inside) in half and take them apart that way.

Yep, that's exactly the way to do it. I wasted loads of time with heat, penetrating oil, loads of torque, still no joy. When I bit the bullet and bought some new tubes it really was a piece of cake, doesn't take long at all.

[dex]

There's no need for the nut even though you have lost the semi circular laps (Toyota omitted these on the 1b), in fact using a nut stresses a single thread and is an inferior way of locking the arm compared to the clamp.

[cggrilli]

ah, super, its just from looking at past threads and the parts manual i saw the overlaps - but i have a mk1b, so its all ok.

Thanks for your help.

[cggrilli]

Ah, ha....

Since i want to fiddle with the rear toe I thought I'd make life a bit easier to turn the tubes. Drilled out and tacked some M14 nuts on the centres of the tubes so i can get a spanner on them to easily adjust rear toe. Saves having to get the mole grips out and crushing the tubes, like the muppets in Kwik Fit must have done

[Icsunonove]

Excellent idea, well done! =D>

[cggrilli]

Wow, thank you!

Figured that since they are off the car might as well do it. Why didn't Toyota put some flats on these bits in the first place?

They're now red (which makes them faster, obviously!) and on my car. Will get the string and straight edges out tomorrow to point the wheels in the right direction.

[Icsunonove]

Christopher,

Can you do a little write-up about this and post it in the knowlege base?

EDIT: Actually on second thoughts can I add your picture to my (half-finished ) Knowledge Base article and give you a credit? Do you have a higher res pic?

[kaiowas]

They look good.

I've just ordered some new tubes and quite fancy having some adjustment flats built in to them. Unfortunately I don't have welding kit or experience though.

I don't suppose superglue is going to be up to the job! :p

[cartledge_uk]

I don't suppose superglue is going to be up to the job! :p

try some weetabix, thats stuff never comes off when its dried in


on a serious note, are people filling there new tubes with copperslip, or just high temp grease? im tempted to PTFE tape my threads too.

[Icsunonove]

I don't suppose superglue is going to be up to the job! :p

try some weetabix, thats stuff never comes off when its dried in

Lol! Phil, you could try Chemical Metal. It might work and what's the worse that can happen if it doesn't? Nothing.

on a serious note, are people filling there new tubes with copperslip, or just high temp grease? im tempted to PTFE tape my threads too.

That's not a bad idea either. Can I nick that and put it in my Knowledge Based article?

I packed mine with a lime based waterproof grease. I'll probably then wrap insualting tape over it and Hammerite over the whole lot (must remember to do that).

[cggrilli]

No worries, please add to your knowledge board, I will try to post a better picture ASAP.

I have just packed them with 'normal' grease, s'pose as long as I keep them moving every few months they won't cease up.

Are the tubes expensive? I dunno cos I shouted at the people at Kwik Fit until they promised to buy me some more - cos they squashed my originals.

I used M14 nuts and turned the centres out on my lathe to 18.5mm. I think an M18 will slide straight on, or can be filed eaily to fit. Then just tac it on. Might look a bit chunky, though.

Kiowas - once you've got the bits together just find a metalworker near by and give 'em a couple of quid to tac them on...won't take them 2 minutes, especially if you remove the black paint first.

[cartledge_uk]

That's not a bad idea either. Can I nick that and put it in my Knowledge Based article?

I packed mine with a lime based waterproof grease. I'll probably then wrap insualting tape over it and Hammerite over the whole lot (must remember to do that).

Feel free.

there is another trick that you can use, wrap some heat shrink over the joint on the outside. shrink it down and it should be tight as. A slightly updated version of the wrapping old inner tube over them that they used to do in the days of old.

(i only say high temp grease as opposed to grease as i get the high temp/vacuum stuff free )

[Icsunonove]

Cheers Christopher and Tim.

Are the tubes expensive?

No, not really. £10.73 each plus VAT

there is another trick that you can use, wrap some heat shrink over the joint on the outside. shrink it down and it should be tight as. A slightly updated version of the wrapping old inner tube over them that they used to do in the days of old.

Thats also a good idea

[kaiowas]

Will have to see what I can rustle up. Stupid thing is I spend all day sitting in an automotive workshop but we're not allowed to bring any 'homework' in.

cggrilli - sounds like you've got the facilities for mass production, could be a nice little eBay earner for you there