jericho Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Having destroyed my track rod two weeks ago,and after seeing someone else do the same yesterday,I have realised how vulnerable the trackrod behind the axle on a coil sprung landrover is.Much more so than the series set up,it would seem. Found this on Devon 4x4 What else is available off the shelf? Do the QT diff gaurds protect the track rod? Any suggestions? (disco 1 axle on series 2 88,if it makes any difference) Thanks, Jerry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I take it that item goes in the same place as the alloy standard item that fits on the diff nose? I don't think that thing on it's own will be much help - I bent a rod on the same vehicle twice with the original item on and only on the second occasion did it break. The rod is just too long/exposed on the passenger side for a small thing like that to make a significant difference. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I have used a QT one for some years now with sumo bars , but I still bend em . Im going over to one of these http://www.gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/page29.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 You cant to get a bit of large box section and fir the track rod inside of it. like (as many companies do) East coast rover: pretty sure $crapiron do them as well. Edit: ^^^^ just seen Ciderman's link.... exactly the same as i was thinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve 90 Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Ive bent more track rods than I can shake a stick at. Then on the T.F.C we bent 3 in one weekend. Good job me were carrying spares as one was bent down to within inch's of the ground and another was bent up against the diff nose. Both Kris and I have now got the Gwin Lewis type that Ciderman (he's 40 today ya know) posted above. They are excellent, Only sits about 1/2 inch lower than the Track rod does and way higher than the diff so the loss of ground clearance in nothing, Built very well and mounts to the Hockey stick bolts and the nose of the diff. Also there's plenty of room for a sumo bar to pass through it. Very pleased with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 If you're more concerned with protection than ground clearance, the Southdown axle guard is hard to beat - basically a big tray that goes under the whole axle and steering. I don't think I'd use one on a challenge truck or anything else where I was pushing to get the last scrap of performance from the vehicle, as they do lose you some ground clearance and have a reputation for ploughing into mud and getting you stuck, but I've never had any problems laning with one and I'm in any case more concerned with keeping the truck in one piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D9OSV Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 We use a Gwyn lewis guard and Bearmach heavy duty solid bars, an awesome combination We alos do away with the defender drop arm and fit a Disco unit so as we do not have to use the weak swan neck steering damper found on the Defender draglink. We then use a QT steering damper relocator slid over the draglink for the refitting of the steering damper. Works very well Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Go Portals No seriously what about an X Rod ? Yeah Si probably doesn't make them yet, but I wonder how feasible it would be to make a trackrod from spring steel so that it will deflect over obstacles and then spring back straight ? bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Baldwin Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 A neat alternative solution from Rockware in the US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I wouldn't like to run one of those on the road with front discs and big offset wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Go Portals No seriously what about an X Rod ? Yeah Si probably doesn't make them yet, but I wonder how feasible it would be to make a trackrod from spring steel so that it will deflect over obstacles and then spring back straight ?bill. Funny you should say that , I was asking a mate who works at a spring manufacters about the same thing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I have one of the WVA Holdings jobs - like a Gwyn Lewis. Even with the icckle tyres it's the dogs. It's got some nasty gouges in it from various places but it negates the need for an HD track rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trr777 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I have one of the WVA Holdings jobs - like a Gwyn Lewis. Even with the icckle tyres it's the dogs. It's got some nasty gouges in it from various places but it negates the need for an HD track rod. I've got the Gwyn Lewis set up, for the money you can't beat it, never bent anything since I fitted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLineMike Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 fitted a southdown axle guard which protects both the diff & the track rod, so far so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treebloke Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I just bought one heavy duty thats guaranteed for life!. I think its the life of the land rover not the life of the bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I have one of the WVA Holdings jobs - like a Gwyn Lewis. Even with the icckle tyres it's the dogs. It's got some nasty gouges in it from various places but it negates the need for an HD track rod. Dave, I'd agree with you here. I ran a simerlar protector to Gwyn's (made by Frogs Island 4x4) and, as it wouldn't take an HD trackrod I used a standard one. The worst I did was put a small bend in a standard one I guess by hitting something with one of the wheel or forcing the steering. At present I've got a SUMO bar and a D44 protector on in order to save weight although I'll be calling Gwyn if I bend a bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D9OSV Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 He won't thank me for saying it......... But Simon has bent his track rod when using Dan bars and this small protector more than once. There said it, running for cover DO run hardened bars through the center of the box guard, i have seen standard bars bent often when used with the box guard as they are very exposed on full lock I ran my own box guard for years on my SV and it was ace, but when i built the new car i fitted a Gwyn Lewis unit as i could not make one for the money his cost. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petergg Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 I have seen quite a few bent standard rod's mainly due to compression and not being directly hit. I bent (be it only slightly) a Sumo bar on the Three Peaks a few weeks back, best I give Gwyn a call at least it is unsprung weight. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 He won't thank me for saying it.........But Simon has bent his track rod when using Dan bars and this small protector more than once. There said it, running for cover DO run hardened bars through the center of the box guard, i have seen standard bars bent often when used with the box guard as they are very exposed on full lock I ran my own box guard for years on my SV and it was ace, but when i built the new car i fitted a Gwyn Lewis unit as i could not make one for the money his cost. Jim Jim, its better to know it now than find out the hard way during an event Its far easier to do something about it in a nice warm workshop! I had heard that he'd bent his but when I decided to take this route it was just after Muddies 2 years ago when Simon IIRC bent his along with a pair of rims, panhard rod and ripped a steering box off. It was enough to force him to retire. Since then quite a lot of people have been bending bars. One of the reasons for doing it was to make it easier to remove the diff which is quite a bit slower with one of the gaurds fitted as you've got to remove the rear hockey stick bolts. What I'll probably end up doing is making up my own gaurd that can be removed fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D9OSV Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Just fit the bolts facing inwards, then you only have to take of the nuts A lot more simple than reinventing the wheel You do make me chuckle mate Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Just fit the bolts facing inwards, then you only have to take of the nuts A lot more simple than reinventing the wheel You do make me chuckle mate Jim Here to please Me, make life difficult for myself??? Never Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 ive just fitted a track rod guard from gwyn lewis, and a hd track rod from qt services, I had them powder coated first for a longer life, the gwyn lewis guard comes galvanized and attaches to the radius arm bolts, they are a bit tricky to fit, two people would make it easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Looks good. Not sure why you got an HD track rod with that guard. Their price is great, http://www.gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/page29.html Not worth making your own for that cost. Personally I sleeved with 1" schd 80 pipe. Basically free and have not been able to bend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I got a hd track rod as well because standard ones tend to bend easy when uneven bedrock and impact is applied sometimes to the front wheels! I have seen a few banana'd they straighten easy enough but are never the same again and will bend again , the gwyn lewis guard is for rock damage from underneath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted June 24, 2010 Share Posted June 24, 2010 i run a HD track rod as well as GL setup - you can never be too sure! Dont forget the two bolts into the rear of the diff housing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.