D2 vs. large rocks

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barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
153
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I should know this, and can't even locate in RAVE, but what is the long rod called (lowest in this picture) right behind the front diff? Took a large rock hit on the diff guard, D2 landed on the long horizontal rod, bending it upward over an inch.
http://members.cox.net/barshnik/front.jpg

I was going slowly (6 mph. or so), and another very large rock hit the rear diff guard where I came to a sudden stop - both rear wheels were off the ground with the vehicle balanced on the rear diff guard and passenger side rear radius arm.
http://members.cox.net/barshnik/rear.jpg

Had to jack up all wheels (bottle jack only), and build rock ramps to drive off of the 'problem'. Wife was worried we'd be stranded overnight, but put gloves on and chipped in with the work.

Looks like the only real damage (we drove home 150 miles today) is to the bent 'rod' (please give the proper name!) Can this be straightened, or replaced with a 'heavy duty' part? If heavy duty, will it still fit inside the front diff guard, or is the diameter larger than stock?

I learned a great deal from this experience, but would appreciate your help with the damn rod name, and replacement possibilities (or what?)

Looks like the diff guards saved a great deal of expense, and an 'overnight' in the vehicle.

Thanks,

John F
LV, NV
 
Nomar

Nomar

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
6,078
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Virginia
barshnik said:
I should know this, and can't even locate in RAVE, but what is the long rod called (lowest in this picture) right behind the front diff? Took a large rock hit on the diff guard, D2 landed on the long horizontal rod, bending it upward over an inch.
Click to expand...

Track rod connects wheel to wheel, drag link connects wheel to steering box, so if its the longest one ,then its the track rod.

Buy a good one here. Rovertym calls it a tie rod.
 
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B

barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
153
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Track rod it is - wheel to wheel is the one. I'm sure this has upset the alignment, right? I'll start shopping, unless it can be straightened...

The middle horizontal frame brace took a pretty good hit, dented and slightly bent, but I assume this is not a problem?

John F
 
Nomar

Nomar

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
6,078
13
Virginia
barshnik said:
Track rod it is - wheel to wheel is the one. I'm sure this has upset the alignment, right? I'll start shopping, unless it can be straightened...

The middle horizontal frame brace took a pretty good hit, dented and slightly bent, but I assume this is not a problem?

John F
Click to expand...

Yes, that will screw up your alignment--you may be able to straighten it somewhat but if you're going to continue with this kind of activity you should invest in stronger rods.
Frame brace will be fine.
 
D

deltadude388

Guest
barshnik said:
Track rod it is - wheel to wheel is the one. I'm sure this has upset the alignment, right? I'll start shopping, unless it can be straightened...

The middle horizontal frame brace took a pretty good hit, dented and slightly bent, but I assume this is not a problem?

John F
Click to expand...
Isn't that called the Panhard Rod too? I hit a rock like you but prolly a lot less severe. Now the steering wheel is slightly offset... :mad:
 
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barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
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<<if you're going to continue with this kind of activity you should invest in stronger rods.>>

I'm not going to quit this kind of activity, so - I'm assuming RTE has D2 as well as D1 (the photos in the link above look like D1 to me). I'll try calling them on Mon.

Any other choices, or are the RTE rods the ones to get?
 
B

barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
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Thanks, Brandon, great job. Now, why can't it be that easy in RAVE? All I see is ACE crap under 'suspension', and nothing this graphic under 'steering', not with these 'common' names.

First real damage done to our D2 after thousands of miles of off-road stuff, so I guess I've been lucky. The rocks were hidden among creosote bushes as we were making our way down Cain Wash south of Newberry Springs, CA after a day of checking out petroglyph sites. No road, no 2 track, just dry wash. Maybe not too smart in retrospect.

Now I'm thinking of sliders in addition to new tie rod...
 
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03DISCOII

Active member
Sep 6, 2005
37
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Corona, Ca.
next time...dont go so fast when going over rocks. :) I can walk faster than my Jeep when its in 4low 1st gear and I still think thats a little too fast (I have to refer to my Jeep because the Disco is still being built ;)
 
bruinlad

bruinlad

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Mar 17, 2005
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Los Angeles, CA
If I'm not mistaken the panhard rod is the same whether or not your DII has ACE or not. You'll find it under the heading Front Suspension of your Rave's Worshop Manual on Page 622-624.
 
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03DISCOII

Active member
Sep 6, 2005
37
0
Corona, Ca.
bruinlad said:
If I'm not mistaken the panhard rod is the same whether or not your DII has ACE or not. You'll find it under the heading Front Suspension of your Rave's Worshop Manual on Page 622-624.
Click to expand...


Yea, your correct. The track bar/panhard bar is nessasery on any coil sprung rig with radius arms or non-tri agulated control arms. It keeps the axle centered under the vechical. If you remove it, turn the steering wheel and see what happens.... its kinda interesting however never drive around without it on. The only way to elminate the track bar is by going to a true four link suspenion with triangulated upper and lower control arms, or at least the uppers.
 
B

barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
153
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It is not the track bar / panhard bar that I bent - it is the 'tie rod' (nicely labeled by brandon in the pic a few posts up.) The 'tie rod' (maybe I just need stronger reading glasses) is not readily apparent in RAVE. OK, I'll go look again...
 
p m

p m

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Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Ho said:
it's kinda fucked up on the naming game. different people call them different names.
Click to expand...
nothing wrong with the name "tie rod" for what you guys call track rod. It does tie the knuckles together...
 
Jaime

Jaime

Well-known member
Apr 29, 2004
641
0
NJ
barshnik said:
It is not the track bar / panhard bar that I bent - it is the 'tie rod' (nicely labeled by brandon in the pic a few posts up.) The 'tie rod' (maybe I just need stronger reading glasses) is not readily apparent in RAVE. OK, I'll go look again...
Click to expand...


Look in the "Steering" section.

Rover calls it track rod, so I call it track rod.

The Panhard rod is only called a Panhard rod....after a guy by the name of Panhard who was the inventor.....and I have no idea where I picked up that little tid-bit of information.
 
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barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
153
0
Ordered a HD stainless track rod from RTE. If it won't clear the QT diff guard, though, I'll have to return it and get a stock one. The RTE track rod is 1 1/4" diameter vs. 1" stock. Right now, bent, the track rod is touching the rear inside of the diff guard, but I remember when I installed the QT that it was 'almost' touching, so the extra 1/8" might be too much... I'll let you know after I try it...

John F
 
B

barshnik

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2004
153
0
Received the new track rod from RTE this afternoon.

My first purchase from them - is everything they do as beautifully engineered and constructed as this heavy solid stainless rod is? Really, it is a work of art. There is no way I can imagine this one sustaining any damage like the lightweight stock rod did. Already installed, off tomorrow to get an alignment, then back on (off) the road.

It makes me feel not so bad about breaking a stock part as long as it can be replaced by something 10 times superior, and at not a great cost.

BTW, even with its larger diameter, it clears the QT diff guard by about the thickness of a matchbook cover - perfect.

John F
 
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