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Steering tie rod extenders?

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  • Steering tie rod extenders?

    I have a long wheel base marina 1800 roadster and for the last MOT had to replace the track rod ends

    I have always been a bit concerned that they engage with probably only 8 or 10 threads and replacing them only reminded me of the problem (if that's what it is)

    Does anyone know of any tie rod extenders that would fit the marina set up?

    Or what the thread size is so that I can search for some

    Any help is much appreciated

    Thanks

    Phil

  • #2
    Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

    Normally you would expect that thread engagement should be about 1-1.5 times the diameter.
    First check that the front uprights are not bent or distorted. This is usually spotted by a difference in the gap between the tyre and steering arm from side to side.

    You can use Classic Mini extended rack rod ends but what you have should be enough.

    MOC member since 05/97
    1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
    1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
    Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
    The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

    Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

      Sorry not to have got back to you before, things have been a bit hectic here..

      I have checked and can't find any distortion, so will have to go with the extended rod ends

      Thanks for the link these should give a bit more engagement

      Didn't someone else have a rod end fail while driving because there were too few threads engaging? I seem to remember ready something on the the forum but can't find it now....

      Anyway thanks again for the help

      Phil

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

        Originally posted by Doublerat View Post
        Sorry not to have got back to you before, things have been a bit hectic here..

        I have checked and can't find any distortion, so will have to go with the extended rod ends

        Thanks for the link these should give a bit more engagement

        Didn't someone else have a rod end fail while driving because there were too few threads engaging? I seem to remember ready something on the the forum but can't find it now....

        Anyway thanks again for the help

        Phil
        Sure somebody reported the problem. Guess what a twisted upright!
        MOC member since 05/97
        1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
        1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
        Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
        The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

        Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

          Finally got around to installing the extended rod ends

          Taking a datum off the hub face the uprights don't seem to be distorted which was a relief. These were the measurements side to side:

          P1100642.JPGP1100644.JPG

          I am now much happier now that I have about 1.5 diameters thread engagement

          Thanks for help with this, it is much appreciated

          Phil

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

            Pleased there is no obvious twist in the uprights.

            I know the rod ends are longer, but not how much.

            Please tell?
            MOC member since 05/97
            1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
            1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
            Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
            The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

            Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

              Because the difference was visual I never thought to measure them before fitting them, but have just whipped a wheel off and measured them as best I could:

              old rod end overall length = 87mm
              new rod end overall length = 94mm

              so extra engagement = 7mm (taking me from just shy of 1 rod diameter to a more comfortable 1.5 diameters)

              The rod ends fitted were mini competition units and acquired through a mate who races grass track and I am told that they are in fact triumph spitfire units

              I hope this makes sense

              P1100643.JPGP1100645.JPGP1100647.JPGP1100648.JPG

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Steering tie rod extenders?

                Thanks for the effort, it was something that I neglected to record.

                I am not sure if it is mechanically significant, it was never a Marina official retro-fit, but, once you have established that there is no accident damage, and it gives further peace of mind, then it's a comparatively low cost effort.

                It is fortuitous that a Classic Mini part does indeed fit without any modification.

                But, the moral is, always check and Double (did you see what I did there) check before assuming the solution to an alleged problem.

                Thanks for the info. I hope it helps others.
                MOC member since 05/97
                1984 Marlin Roadster SWB.
                1800TC, Unleaded ported head, stage 2 cam. Ford Type 9 gearbox, Dolomite Sprint rear axle fitted with MGF disc brakes.
                Three core radiator, Renault Clio vented front discs.
                The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

                Loads of Marlin Reference can be found documents here or there.

                Comment

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