3200 track rod end

[chippiepilot]

Hi All
Just received a track rod end from eurospares for the 3200 and when comparing it to the old one it is much longer to the extent that it looks as if it would take up the whole thread just about, (see photo) should this be so? its the correct part number etc from eurospares it just seems slightly wrong
View attachment 14638

 

[deano]

certainly looks different,and not fir for purpose,and its certainly different to the one i recieved from them last week,

 

[chippiepilot]

Thanks Deano, Ive asked for another one to be sent out, though since the order was placed eurospares emailed me back claiming the longer version is the correct version even after seeing the photograph! If it turns out to be the same I will go with David Askew who does new parts as well (I thought it was just used parts he dealt with)

 

[chippiepilot]

I got the track rod ends (the correct ones) from Alan at Dick Lovetts and David Askew is supplying me with the locking nut and alloy insert from spares stock (these are not available as individual items or directly from Maserati so it seems)

 

[hodroyd]

I can't see how a longer track rod end would be correct, Eurospares must be having a wobbler, that would put your track so far out it would be undriveable surely..??
If you had a shorter track rod to go with the longer ends, then I could understand it.

 

[chippiepilot]

I can't quite understand it though fair play to eurospares they will take it back for store credit

 

[RSM Masser]

I replaced mine a couple of years ago on a 2001 3200
see picture of old and new parts - I also did a how to try this link

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/sho...Steering-gaiter-and-steering-(track)-rod-ends

 

[chippiepilot]

RSM, good how to the photo attached shows eurospares item top and Dick Lovetts bottom

 

[RSM Masser]

Looks like the top one is wrongly boxed - Dick Lovetts looks like mine although part nos the same. I bought mine from eurospares change the gaiters as well - even if they have not split - they will and its a MoT failure

 

[hodroyd]

Have Eurospares been told it's an incorrect part..??

 

[chippiepilot]

I have and shown them both photos and I was told that that is the correct one after the first photo then after showing the 2nd that they have been selling these for many years, as said in all fairness to them they are letting me return it for store credit rather than not accepting the return

 

[hodroyd]

The only thing I can think of, is that Maserati changed the actual track rod / rack at some point by adding more thread, maybe making it stronger, that's the only way the longer TR end would work. Have you checked actual track rods to see..?? I know that the AC had a modified rack later in it's life, but not sure if that was just gearing, or if the added thread also..??

 

[chippiepilot]

I think it took about 20 or so more turns to get it on taking up the whole thread which leaves little to no room for adjustment,

 

[hodroyd]

I notice the same Eurospares PN is described as many different things in that section. It's strange they say they have never had a issue, there has been a PN change from 980000968 to this new one, so maybe the original was slightly different.

 

[chippiepilot]

Just to add to the track rod end saga there is an alloy insert that goes over the track rod end and did not come with any of the ends that I ordered and cannot be ordered as a separate part likewise with the locking nut (not from maserati anyway). I tried DL and Bill McGrath with no joy and managed to get said items (used) from David Askew. I will try and source where these are made, I think the thread is an N14 apparently