[Mk2] [NA] Knock when stationary after fitting new track rod and track rod end

[rodenal]

I recently replaced my track rod and track rod end, after visiting kwik fit and them basically undoing the track rod, i retightened it and adjusted the t/r/e as close as i could manually.

However now i get a very loud knock when going from centre position on the steering wheel to full lock, only under load and at stationary, it wont do it off the ground..

Could i have over tightened the track rod or loosened the t/r/e too much - after tightening the track rod up i had to loosen the t/r/e side of it off quite a bit to compensate for the amount they had unscrewed it at the ball joint to keep the alignment in-ish.

Or does it sound like the track rod itself is fecked after being driven with it a bit loose?

[rodenal]

Checked this tonight and the spring is actually moving around in its bottom seat when turning the wheels, the spring itself doesnt seem snapped so i'm assuming this will be a top mount issue

is there any way i can check with it still on the car? also are they generally regreasable or should i just get a new one?

[JOHNM400]

Yeah it sounds like the top mount is seized. You can put some oil in the top where the centre nut is and allow it to keep penetrating then keep adding more. Ive freed them off like this before but in all honesty its highly likely that the bearing has had it. New ones are around 65/70 quid from Toyota.

[rodenal]

Fair enough i'll give it a try over the next couple of days then if it comes to it just take the whole unit out at the weekend and order up a new top mount, wd40 or something thicker?

It was suggested to me that the strut rod and top cup might not be aligned properly which could be causing my problems, and also that if i shake the rod with the car lifted i should be able to feel play if the top mount is gubbed - does this sound right?

[rodenal]

Just tried this, sprayed wd40 in the top nut and lt it penetrate then turned from lock to lock a few times and it seems to have freed up - wohoo!