Trackrod cracked - safe to drive?

IrishZeus

Quick question - 141 F11 Touring was in today to get new discs. Whilst there, they found a crack in the tracking rod.

The guy advised this is safe to drive on. Wife advised we are travelling to Donegal next week for a week or two and he said this should be fine and can get it fixed after.

Is this correct? I would have thought this would be unsafe. Wife found the guy very young and figures he might be a bit inexperienced. Problem is that there is a 5 day order time on the part and we don’t necessarily want to delay going on hols if not necessary.

Can anyone advise? Thanks in advance

peasant

Sure, put a cable tie round the crack, that'll keep you safe.
Or better still, put two on, save you buying a new part

Seriously...how do you expect us to give you safety relevant information about a "crack" over the internet?

IrishZeus

peasant wrote: »

Sure, put a cable tie round the crack, that'll keep you safe.
Or better still, put two on, save you buying a new part

Seriously...how do you expect us to give you safety relevant information about a "crack" over the internet?

I’m looking for guideance here. This is all the info I have to go on from the garage at the moment. I’ll be calling them tomorrow to try and get more info but generally some posters here can give some good guideance. I’ll like to fill gaps in my own knowledge if possible, before speaking to them.

If you can help with that, please do.

martyc5674

If it fails your in the ditch at best, think about it- what made it crack?- prob a pothole , hit another one as bad and it’s gone.

IrishZeus

martyc5674 wrote: »

If it fails your in the ditch at best, think about it- what made it crack?- prob a pothole , hit another one as bad and it’s gone.

This was my fear to be honest and could not understand why the garage allowed it out, never mind saying it was ok to go on a trip. Will reconfirm exactly what they found today but they told the wife verbally “you have a cracked tracking rod”.

The report they printed doesn’t give details - just flagged under items required as “complete trackrod”

martinr5232

Possibly its the rubber gaiter cracked around the track rod end as long as its not leaking grease it would be ok. A crack anywhere else on a track rod would not be safe.

ba_barabus

IrishZeus wrote: »

This was my fear to be honest and could not understand why the garage allowed it out, never mind saying it was ok to go on a trip. Will reconfirm exactly what they found today but they told the wife verbally “you have a cracked tracking rod”.

The report they printed doesn’t give details - just flagged under items required as “complete trackrod”

Is it possible that they were just doing an add on to the bill to get more business? It just seems odd they'd let you drive out with a visible crack in a metal rod that essentially controls the steering? Is it possible there is a crack in the rubber? Not going to make much of a difference in the short term if it is.

Unless you know and trust them I'd be looking for a second opinion.

GarIT

If you did end up in a ditch as another poster said your insurance would be void. Check your insurance it likely says the vehicle must be roadworthy to your knowledge. You might be able to sue the garage but it's not worth the hassle

Never mind the risk to your safety.

Markcheese

Did the guy give you a quote ? Or even an estimate ...
Its probably not a big deal to get done before you head to Donegal , and that'll allow you enjoy your holiday without even thinking about it ..
If it's just the rubber boots even easier ...

IrishZeus

ba_barabus wrote: »

Is it possible that they were just doing an add on to the bill to get more business? It just seems odd they'd let you drive out with a visible crack in a metal rod that essentially controls the steering? Is it possible there is a crack in the rubber? Not going to make much of a difference in the short term if it is.

Unless you know and trust them I'd be looking for a second opinion.

Thought of that too (cracked rubber) but unfortunately can’t get under the car to check as I had surgery on my shoulder last week. I’m hoping it is this but can’t confirm till they open tomorrow.

It’s a BMW dealer and they’ve sorted me out in the past so I would trust them to a point. Famous last words maybe

IrishZeus

Markcheese wrote: »

Did the guy give you a quote ? Or even an estimate ...
Its probably not a big deal to get done before you head to Donegal , and that'll allow you enjoy your holiday without even thinking about it ..
If it's just the rubber boots even easier ...

€500 and a 5-day order time for the part - which I also can’t understand. I will be getting the job done elsewhere as it’s crazy money.

mickdw

Its surely a cracked boot otherwise no mechanic would advise to drive on.
Call him and clarify. The trackrod is a metal connecting rod with a ball joint assembly on the end protected by a rubber boot.
A crack to the rubber boot will cause early failure of the joint but not in a week or 2.
A crack to any part of the metal is a fatal accident waiting to happen.

mickdw

IrishZeus wrote: »

€500 and a 5-day order time for the part - which I also can’t understand. I will be getting the job done elsewhere as it’s crazy money.

Ah now that is shocking.

A cheap brand track rod for f11 is 33 quid on micksgarage.
So i guess it goes like this:
Bmw trackrod €120
Labour €300
Tracking €80

colm_mcm

For gods sake get a second opinion and quote from an independent garage.

IrishZeus

colm_mcm wrote: »

For gods sake get a second opinion and quote from an independent garage.

On the list for tomorrow!

Markcheese

IrishZeus wrote: »

€500 and a 5-day order time for the part - which I also can’t understand. I will be getting the job done elsewhere as it’s crazy money.

Wow .... That's a sting in the wallet ..plus a 5 day wait ,where the hell is it coming from ?
I assume an Indy garage will be able to get it "next day "

IrishZeus

Markcheese wrote: »

Wow .... That's a sting in the wallet ..plus a 5 day wait ,where the hell is it coming from ?
I assume an Indy garage will be able to get it "next day "

I’ve no idea to be honest as it’s as standard a part as you can get. I’ve no intention of paying €500 for the job anyways so will source it elsewhere locally.

colm_mcm

They’re small money even for good brands

mickdw

On what planet is it normal to quote 500 for trackrod repalcement?
Are people actually paying these prices?

IrishZeus

Update - called BMW this morning and they’re worn, not cracked. Big difference. Confirmed they wanted €500 to replace which is nuts - I actually argued the price given the costs of the parts but no leeway given at all.

Took to a local indy who will sort on Tuesday for €125 each side plus €50 for tracking. That’s inner and outer rods on both sides, rather than just the one.