16 replies to this topic

[JonnyBMX]

got a bent left tie rod, i assume cars tracking was set up with this.. do i need to replace the rod??

[Pooky]

Never assume anything!

If the car drives ok and you're not seeing any irregular tyre wear then you're probably ok to leave it for a while. But if I were you next time you come to change the tyres at the front, replace the bent tie rod (maybe both if you're feeling flush) and all the bushes for both rods and have the tracking re-set

[E-Tizzle]

both of my tie rods were bent quite badly.
so i replaced both of them just incase.
its been off the road so i didnt have a chance to 'feel' if it was driving badly.
but the haynes says replace immediately and people on here have said chance them.
i bought up rated 'rally spec' ones. and put poly bushes on there because they will last longer and i cant see these ones bending.
they are about 5 mm thicker (i think) cost me £20 plus a £5 for the bushes. altough i found a website were the poly bushes are about 80p each.

[sonikk4]

Change it, better to be safe than sorry, you really cannot tell what over damage may have been done to it.

[bmcecosse]

Take it off and straighten it! And yes - you would be best to then check the tracking.

[Boycie]

I'm sure people will moan at bmcecosse for saying 'straighten it' but that's what I normally do- IMO it's absolutely fine to do that. Also, especially when Minis were everyday cars, I'd say a great many (most?) of them were running around with a slight bend in the tie-rod.. with no obvious problems!

I've never been a fan of adjustable rods on a car that is purely used on the road, they're just not necessary unless it's a track car.. but again, many will argue! If the worst comes to the worst (eg the threaded end shears when you remove it) new standard replacements are not expensive!

[bmcecosse]

Exactly Boycie - well said!

[AndyMiniMad.]

Yes if the budget is tight and you have no reason to fit upgrade parts then by all means go ahead and straighten the tie rod. But sometimes the original parts are just not up to the job. an awfull lot of people on this site ask questions about bent tie rods! so why not upgrade to heavy duty when it seems to me the standard ones cant cope with todays driving conditions. Are we driving our minis on poorer roads? Are we driving faster? Ultimately the choice is yours.

[bmcecosse]

They only get bent because some fool puts a jack under them ! Or perhaps by reversing hard on lock against a kerb!! Unless for extreme off road use - the standard tie bars are fine.

[Burnard]

I still have my set of origional ones if you want them

[AndyMiniMad.]

They only get bent because some fool puts a jack under them ! Or perhaps by reversing hard on lock against a kerb!! Unless for extreme off road use - the standard tie bars are fine.

Mine were straight untill i had to make an emergency stop on an uneven surface. Result!!! Bent tie rod!

[bmcecosse]

Hard to imagine how - since they would be in tension due to the braking force!

[AndyMiniMad.]

Hard to imagine how - since they would be in tension due to the braking force!

Sorry Bmc. I dont meen to be negative, and i agree the rods are obviously under tension when braking, but what can i tell you. thats what happened!! Maybe im just unlucky.

[Shifty]

I can't honestly see how they would bend under braking?

I've seen the front mounts on frame break before any further damage is caused.

Although the uprated adjustable ones look good , they really need to be set up properly as well otherwise theres no point in fitting them.

Standard ones are generally fine for even the most spirited road use.

As already said the most common cause of damage is careless jacking.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Sounds like mine had been bent prior to the heavy braking episode. But the car was only finnished one month before so i know it was straight at mot time. anyway im sorry if I misled any one.