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[Martin_1962]

I need to replace a cheap Ebay one with another cheapy due to ripped covers and one joint starting to get noisy.

Can I change with the car on ramps and not take off the wheel.

Will have torch and mark on garage do match up tracking.

WIM is quite a way and I am a bit broke

[albitz]

I also have ripped covers, although the track rods are fine (so far), would be nice to just replace thecovers, but I dont suppose for one minute they are available by themselves.
Sorry for the thread hijack Martin.
Btw, it is possible to change them without removing the wheels.

Edit. Looks like the covers are available, but which ones would we need. :-/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=balljoint+covers&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[Jimbob]

id thought it would be easier to pop the old off, match the new one exactly, and bolt it back on.

or you not doing the whole 'end'?

[Agemo]

I am sure I have just swapped rubber covers in the past, I suppose you would need small tie-wraps to secure them. Someone here must have done Omega ones . . . 
Your noisy one would probably be OK for a while if packed with grease, then a new cover.

[feeutfo]

Note the exact position of the steering wheel first. Hopefully dead ahead, or mark the wheels straight position at tdc with tape or sumat. So you can replicate later.

Do one side first. Measure the length by eye to start with, fit tre roughly the same, then drive the car back and forth keeping the steering wheel in pre marked drives straight position. Rifle site the worked on wheel with the back. The outside edges of the front wheel should align perfectly with the outside edge of the rear. If not adjust tre until it does, repeat until cock on. Be fussy and you get the desired -10 mins toe in.

When happy do the adjuster clamps up at the end.

Ps. If doing both sides get one side cock on first, it's easy to end up chasing your arse else.

[Varche]

I have one to change - just arrived in the post. I was amazed to find that that are two different track rod ends depending on vehicle year. This one visually matches the one on the car.

If you had a dead straight (as I do) six metre long piece of metal box section would that help in getting tracking about right?

[feeutfo]

I have one to change - just arrived in the post. I was amazed to find that that are two different track rod ends depending on vehicle year. This one visually matches the one on the car.

If you had a dead straight (as I do) six metre long piece of metal box section would that help in getting tracking about right?

Yep. Can do it wheel jacked to get it close ish first. Then get it settled on the floor and re check etc.

[Martin_1962]

Both boots are gone - will fit another then refurb the old one

[Martin_1962]

id thought it would be easier to pop the old off, match the new one exactly, and bolt it back on.

or you not doing the whole 'end'?

1/4mm difference would be 1mm on tracking

Need to be very exact

[Entwood]

I need to replace a cheap Ebay one with another cheapy due to ripped covers and one joint starting to get noisy.

Can I change with the car on ramps and not take off the wheel.

Will have torch and mark on garage do match up tracking.

WIM is quite a way and I am a bit broke

If you only do the trackrod then you don't need a full geometry .... any garage/tyre place should be able to check the tracking for a few quid IMHO

[Martin_1962]

I need to replace a cheap Ebay one with another cheapy due to ripped covers and one joint starting to get noisy.

Can I change with the car on ramps and not take off the wheel.

Will have torch and mark on garage do match up tracking.

WIM is quite a way and I am a bit broke

If you only do the trackrod then you don't need a full geometry .... any garage/tyre place should be able to check the tracking for a few quid IMHO

To be honest I was hoping I could replicate their position, it was WIMed about 18 months ago

[feeutfo]

Both boots are gone - will fit another then refurb the old one

If it's just boots then just swap them over with the good one once removed. Then re fit without touching the adjuster, no?  :-/

But you said it was noisy... So may as well fit new??