Power Steering Terms

[Ian]

Can someone take a look at this Lushy page for me?

http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... o=.html#19

Drawing Number 32-280S is described as a "Ball Joint Set". Is this the same thing as a "Tie Rod End? And is it the same thing as a "Track Rod End"? Are the terms interchangeable?

[briwy]

Well I would say that it is the same as track rod end, not the same as a tie rod end. A tie rod is normally a bar that holds or stabilises a suspension component in place.

Personally I would call it a track rod end.

[teenmal]

32-280S is what is Normally called a track rod End

Cheers.

[Driver+Passengers]

Can someone take a look at this Lushy page for me?

http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... o=.html#19

Drawing Number 32-280S is described as a "Ball Joint Set". Is this the same thing as a "Tie Rod End? And is it the same thing as a "Track Rod End"? Are the terms interchangeable?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tie_rod suggests that the terms should be interchangeable ("In the UK, [tie rods] are generally referred to as track rods").

[Ian]

So, confusingly, if someone phones up and asks where they can get hold of a ball joint, it's the same thing as a tie rod end? And a tie rod end is the same as a track rod end?

[helen&tony]

Hi
Ball joint...could be any ball joint
Tie rod / Track rod the same
Track rod end is a ball/ socket, but usually referred to as a track rod end, although you could call it a track rod end ball joint
Another ball joint in close proximity is the lower wishbone ball joint
Cheers
Helen

[Driver+Passengers]

Yet another ball joint in close proximity would be the "inner" track rod end (32-240[Z]), with 32-280S being the "outer" track rod end(s)?

[helen&tony]

Hi
The inner ball joint is just that ...the outer is the END of the rod... ...
Cheers
Helen

[Driver+Passengers]

Hi
The inner ball joint is just that ...the outer is the END of the rod... ...
Cheers
Helen

Indeed. I was 'trolling' a little bit...

[briwy]

So, confusingly, if someone phones up and asks where they can get hold of a ball joint, it's the same thing as a tie rod end? And a tie rod end is the same as a track rod end?

If that happened Ian I think you would need to ask them where it is. If its the track rod end they are after its pretty clear where it is, ie on the ends of the steering rack.
I guess this would be a fairly common part that would need replacing whereas other ball joints would not be required so often.

The only other "ball joint" I can see is the front bottom suspension joint which seems to be an integral part of the suspension wishbone. Doesn't have a number on the Lush diagram so I assume it's not available separately.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

I think virtually everyone in this country will refer to the track rod end as just that, a track rod end.

[rita]

Hi,

32-240 and 32-240z are right and left track rods 32-280s is right or left track rod ends/ball joints.it is very seldom that you would replace a track rod, unless it got bent(damaged).

Cheers.