Whats a 'track rod end'?

makeorbrake

I've been asked to source an 'inner tie rod' & a 'track rod end' for a 2010-17 Nissan Leaf (front left axle/passenger side)

I can find the inner tie rod but can't find any 'track rod end' listed. Is there some other name for this part - and that's what's sending me astray?

Also need to source an 'inner CV Joint'. Is this right? Most of the other listings mention 'wheel side' so i assume they're not what I'm looking for..

Apologies in advance - i'm the furthest thing from mechanically minded!

mk7r

The tie rod is the other half of the track rod end that goes close to the wheel.

For example https://www.car-parts.ie/car-parts/track-rod-end

If you need an inner CV joint then you will need the whole axle, they are not replaceable separately

bucketybuck

I'm curious why you have been "asked" to source something you seemingly have no clue about?

Is this a case of your mechanic diagnosing that they are needed but you want to source the actual parts yourself? Or he just doesn't want to be involved with buying parts?

makeorbrake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118966258#Comment_118966258

Thanks for the info. I had sourced the four parts I needed from a breakers, ( inner tie rod/track rod end/lower wishbone/inner cv joint) but i assume they're not pricing for an axle. Mechanic never mentioned about the axle...so I better go back and talk to him on Monday.

mk7r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118966696#Comment_118966696

These are the kind of parts you buy brand new, definitely don't fit second hand ones

kyote00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118968435#Comment_118968435

100%

these are steering and suspension parts and are likely to be as bad or worse than the ones you are replacing

go onto micks garage, put in your reg number and it will bring up a list of compatible parts

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118968457#Comment_118968457

I'd have no issue using breakers parts. It's likely accident damage with that parts list & those parts aren't prone to wear.

FintanMcluskey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969582#Comment_118969582

Track rods and tie rods both have wearable pivot points.

galvo_clare

Why would you fit secondhand suspension parts from a breakers. The car they came off could easily have been scrapped because of accident damage. Why take the risk?

makeorbrake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969720#Comment_118969720

If you have a bill of €1700 for nissan parts (before labour), you might consider it 🙂

As for new aftermarket/non-oem parts - please point me to where I can order them and I'll do it. I can't seem to get what I'm looking for.

mk7r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969978#Comment_118969978

A car old enough to need such parts should be nowhere near a main dealer!

Op your setup is a bit strange, would you not let your mechanic sort the parts as is normal? There could be 5 different track rod ends, 4 different wishbones etc for your year and model and if you get the wrong bits it becomes a real mess once the car is half dismantled.

If you let the mechanic sort the parts, if they are wrong the motorfactors will be able to swap them immediately for the correct parts.

mk7r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969582#Comment_118969582

These parts are some of the most prone to wear on the whole car...hence why they are now worn out

The Continental Op

I'd also add that they are also some of the cheapest parts to buy new because they are so common and so many suppliers make them.

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118970719#Comment_118970719

Maybe I missed it. Where did you see that they were worn?

Dirty Nails

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118969720#Comment_118969720

Proper breakers do quality control too. Damaged or worn parts end up in the skip.

I still have an unworn genuine part long before the mostly Chinese dirt that comes online

makeorbrake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118970713#Comment_118970713

I kind of agree with you mk7r - it is a bit strange. In the mechanics defence, he has tried to source the parts but has failed - other than being able to source them through Nissan.

As per my original post, I have no notion about this stuff - I find it incredibly confusing - but if the difference is paying €1700+ on parts alone or paying a few hundred but having the headache of trying to figure out what are the right parts - I'm not a millionaire and so I'm stuck in the latter position.

Trust me when I say I need this like a hole in the head 🙂 -it's been stressing me out the last while as I can't seem to get it nailed down to a point where I am confident in what I've sourced/will order up.

I thought I could order up aftermarket new parts - but it seems I wouldn't have the right parts. Then I have a breakers who confirmed exactly the parts I asked for - but I knew nothing about the axle having to come with the tie rod end - and given that they didnt mention it, I assume they're not providing it/have not priced it in. I'll have to go back to the mechanic in the morning and ask him about that.

mk7r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118971386#Comment_118971386

You have just the same risk of the parts being wrong from the breaker as you do ordering online? When they are making cars new, they may have multiple suppliers for track rod ends for instance, so even a car made on the same day as your own may have incompatible parts.

The tie rod doesn't come with the axle, the inner CV joint is part of the axle so they couldn't give you one without giving you the whole axle?

My opinion is find a new mechanic, these parts are readily available to anyone with an ounce of interest

makeorbrake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118971405#Comment_118971405

I hear what you're saying for sure. - it's just that I'll have to have this thing towed to another garage if I change - so that's probably €200 to move it. Although to your point, if I don't get confirmation that what I'm ordering is right from the mechanic tomorrow, I'll probably have to look to move it - and get someone else to do it.

Dakota Dan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118966696#Comment_118966696

The axle is connected to the inner cv joint on the left of the photo, the outer cv joint fits into the axle, to simplify it the bar between the two cv joints is the axle, it can also be called a drive shaft.