Strange front track rod / toe angle goings on

[Enceladus]

Part number is GM 9195731. However I suspect that factory original is long obsolete and no longer available. So phone your local dealer and ask. Also factory was likely ZF but they don't seem to sell these in the aftermarket. Which probably means there are no ZF left.

[Doctor Gollum]

Here do...

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=302988501855&category=6763&pm=1&ds=0&t=1549457272000&ver=0

Not cheap, but only four left

[dave the builder]

if your searching for carlton ones,there are 2 different lengths available so be careful 

[Doctor Gollum]

if your searching for carlton ones,there are 2 different lengths available so be careful 

As there are for the Omega

One is for power steering, tother isn't, and ultimately, 2mm is neither here nor there

[Enceladus]

Power steering. Don't all Omega B have power steering? The only other idler for Omega B is 90305898. This is used with Y25TD, an engine option never available on RHD Vauxhall. It also has a different shape at the bush end.

[Webby the Bear]

Changed it tonight.

5 seconds with air hammer and it was off.

[dave the builder]

if your searching for carlton ones,there are 2 different lengths available so be careful 

As there are for the Omega

One is for power steering, tother isn't, and ultimately, 2mm is neither here nor there

carlton senny idler arms come in 2 variant lengths 
110mm AND 121mm
11mm makes a big difference if you fit the wrong one 

[Doctor Gollum]

if your searching for carlton ones,there are 2 different lengths available so be careful 

As there are for the Omega

One is for power steering, tother isn't, and ultimately, 2mm is neither here nor there

carlton senny idler arms come in 2 variant lengths 
110mm AND 121mm
11mm makes a big difference if you fit the wrong one 

I knew it had a 2 in it...

You could always fit the pitman arm to match

[terry paget]

Changed it tonight.

5 seconds with air hammer and it was off.

You make it sound easy. Did you put a heavy hammer behind the taper? 

[Nick W]

Changed it tonight.

5 seconds with air hammer and it was off.

You make it sound easy. Did you put a heavy hammer behind the taper?

It is easy. I've not needed two hammers for splitting trackrod ends for years. A good hard clout with one big hammer is enough to split joints that have been together for 40 years.

[Webby the Bear]

Changed it tonight.

5 seconds with air hammer and it was off.

You make it sound easy. Did you put a heavy hammer behind the taper?

No mate. No hammers used. The nut that secures it to the chassis came off easy. And then it literally slid off. The nut on the ball joint end was tight but then once off I got a stubby bit for my air hammer. Five seconds of dugga duggaring and it was off.

If I was to do it without the luxury of the air hammer I'd have got a drift and smashed seven bells out of it*. Access was a bit tight (hence the drift) but I didn't bother jacking it up removing wheels etc. so that would help.

One thing to note as with most ball joints on fitting the new one I had to jack up the bottom of it otherwise it would have just spun as I tightened the nut. Other than that it was straight forward 👍



*when I say id have smashed seven bells. I actually mean id have got young un to hold the drift while I swung at it. Do this if you're limited in hands. If not hold it yourself 👍

[Nick W]

One thing to note as with most ball joints on fitting the new one I had to jack up the bottom of it otherwise it would have just spun as I tightened the nut. Other than that it was straight forward 👍

Give the joint a healthy tap with your splitting hammer, then pull the steering to full lock and tighten the nut.

[Webby the Bear]

Whatever is ur preference mate 👍👍👍

[Nick W]

It doesn't always work, then you use the jack.
And if you're lucky enough to be working with a lift, using the jack isn't really an option.......

[Enceladus]

What is a "stubby bit"?
For the benefit of us all, where did you get the new idler arm from?
Maybe hang on to the old arm in case it can be sent somewhere to be polybushed?