MOT time again :)

[admiral51]

Okay my little C4 is due its mot again, how time does fly lol

I am fully expecting to have to replace front discs and pads ( it has been flagged 2 years running ) but my main concern is this that has been flagged up since we got the car 3 years ago "play in n/s steering inner rack joint"
The good lady has been using it since we got the Xantia ( that is mine ) but i really think it is time we got this done, my question is how expensive is it likely to be, is it steering rack out job or can it be done in situ .
Vin number for staff
VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Thanks in advance

[RichardW]

It's doable without taking the rack out seemingly. Cit do specify the use of anti-rotation clamp on the rack, not sure how independents manage this. You also really need an over the track arm tool to get them off - best left to garage!

[admiral51]

was never going to do it myself, i can fit a bulb the wrong way round given the chance
just wondered if it was going to cost more than the car is worth if it was doable

[411514]

"n/s steering inner rack joint" - ???

Are we talking about a track rod here?

If so, when I have done ours I have used a medium sized pipe wrench and they usually come off reasonably easily. At a guess I would say they probably need a torque of about 50 Nm to crack off. Perhaps try a bit of heat if it is stiff to avoid stressing the rack. I have taken to putting a dab of threadlock on the threads of the new track rod as well, don't know whether this is necessary but doesn't seem to have done any harm.

Even lieing on your back on the drive, each side probably shouldn't take more than an hour, so I imagine a garage would get the job done in less than 30 mins per side.

[Paul-R]

To me the track rod end would be the outer rack joint. Surely the inner rack joint is where the track rod nestles inside a cup screwed onto the rack itself? And that's covered by the rack bellows.

[411514]

Surely the inner rack joint is where the track rod nestles inside a cup screwed onto the rack itself?

That's what I guessed, but that joint is a part of the track rod not the rack, so presumably that means track rod replacement? The MOT tester's description could have been a bit more descriptive.

[van ordinaire]

The tester doesn't have much choice when it comes to words/terms as they're computer generated.

I got one of these as an "advisory" on the Xantia & had to ask to get confirmation that my assumption it was the trackrod - as opposed to the TRE.

When I did the TRE's on the C15 I detected a little movement at the inner end &, as they were only about a tenner, replaced the rods as a matter of course. Bit fiddly, because I was having to feel my way (almost literally) as not a job I'd ever done before, but no big deal.

[admiral51]

Forgot to subscribe to my own thread

Well it went for MoT today, and had the usual advisories and passed
Had a quick chat with the garage and have been told that the steering joint is probably about an hour and 15 min job including the tracking being redone so will be booked in to be done in the next few weeks along with oil and filter change and fuel filter, did the air filter before i took it for MoT just as a precaution lol
If it helps in the mean time he did mention something about torsion bar and a special tool ( which he has ) for the steering joint.
On a side note the high level brake housing was bowed and after spending the princely sum of £5 on 20 plastic clips ( only needed 3 ) the cause of the lake in the boot was the wiring loom rubber housing and the same housing on the other side not making a proper seal, plenty of silicone sealant has done the job but i just cannot believe any car maker cannot provide something to last, i mean it is only a 14 year old car

[myglaren]

You should be automatically subscribed to your own thread and any thread you have posted in.

[admiral51]

Myglaren think i may have un subscribed
Had a quick look on servicebox but my subscription is limited.
which part am i looking at replacing, i just cannot seem to understand the diagrams and corresponding parts
Vin number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

He means subscribing to your Forum thread is automatic for posts you make Colin, not your PSA subscription.

What part are you looking for anyway I couldn’t work out from your last post what it is you need?

[admiral51]

Sorry marc 2 replies in 1
Its the play in the n/s inner steering joint that i need to replace, the joint itself has been flagged up on previous mot and i have been informed its not a steering rack replacement but when i go on servicebox it does not show me the joint just rods and gaiters

[admiral51]

The best i can get from service box is this part number 16 073 161 80
It is a ball joint and seems to be #5 on the diagrams for the VIN posted and appears to be the same part for both sides.
Just trying to get my head around the issue, was thinking that maybe if i get 1 done should i get both done as tracking needs to be reset afterwards.
The car is good, i know i will not get my money back in terms of resale being 14 years old just thinking ahead, cambelt etc done 3 years ago ( 20k since ) so i would like to keep it

[Alexnew]

Hi I think the part you're referring to is the inner tie rod or rack end similar to this

[GiveMeABreak]

If it's the Tie Rod End you need, then yes, there is a genuine part number and an equivalent cheaper version. As you say Colin, item 5 on the diagram.

381750 is the original OEM part: £39.88 inc. VAT
1607316180 is the cheaper alternative: £9.74 inc. VAT