164 Q4 steering rods (WARNING!)

[AlfaWhiz]

There are steering rods (not rod ends) available for replacement from various suppliers. A majority of shops and auctions say they fit your Q4, but be carefull... I have consulted the official manufacturer catalogue (TRW) and the part number that comes up for Q4 is TRW JAR100.

THIS PART DOES NOT FIT THE Q4!

This is the "normal" rod, which is ca. 10 cm longer per side than the one needed for the Q4.

It was a pig of a job, the garage installed the new rods without checking and had to do the job twice putting the old ones back, as they realized wheels are completely out of alignment. Luckily the old ones were actually in good nick. They have said they would not take extra money for the job, as their catalogue also points to part number JAR100, which is incorrect.

As a result, I have a pair of brand new TRW JAR100 steering rods for sale, they should fit most (all?) "normal" 164s.

Be careful!

[164 TD]

Thanks for the update! I thought they would fit!

Edit: According to my sources the TRW partnumber should be JTE-135 for all 164's!

http://www.mister-auto.nl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.mister-auto.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AlfaWhiz]

JTE135 is a steering rod end, which indeed fits all cars, including Q4 (installed in my car already). The problem is with the steering rods themselves (I mean the part you bolt the rod end to). It does not hurt to change them, they have rose joints in them if I'm not mistaken. Google them to see a picture.

[164 TD]

I tried to find this part on Eper but I cannot find it!

[AlfaWhiz]

Yes, this is the steering rod (tie rod axle joint). It is not available in ePER, there it's a part of the whole steering rack and is not possible to order it separately, but it is indeed available for purchase from TRW (the original supplier).

Look here: https://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/catalogue/

You can select the 164 and the Q4 variant (listed very much correctly), it shows JAR100 under "tie rod axle joint" category, which is incorrect.

[164 TD]

Ok, in the online edition of the EPER DVD the story ends with the picture of the 3 complete steeringracks.

In the CD version I have from wayback- when it was still called "Compact 98"- I can make one more click.

All FL/Superversions except Q4 (with steeringdamper)



Q4(without steeringdamper)

[AlfaWhiz]

Excellent finding!

You can clearly see even in those pictures, they suggest the Q4 rods are much shorter, and of course the part number is different, so indeed they are different.

I am not sure if we can translate the part numbers into reproduction parts (for instance TRW). Maybe it will be worthwhile to inquire them about this and report a bad catalog entry. Alternatively one might also consider asking a local Alfa dealer for this part.

[Alfan]

Great info!

This would also explain why the ones I got last year (when the steering rack was replaced in my Q4) were too long. I ended up using the old ones, as they looked good enough - just like you did.

That means I also have an extra set of non-Q4 steering rods - but maybe they can fit on my Thema...

[164 TD]

Threads are M14x1.5

With the old joint as an example for the sizes, you can cut some extra threads to the rod till it has the correct measurements. Then you cut off the rod to the correct lenght.

[Artiz1]

What about the steering rod for the "non dampened" cars - are these the same as on "dampened" ones? I've replaced the steering rack on my TD with a "non dampened" unit form an unknown model (may be a V6 12V or 24V or a TD even) and will soon have to buy some new rods and ends and yet don't know from which model should I buy them.
Were they all the same for all "non dampened" versions?

[wilco]

but... the end part, HEAD in the picture.. i think it's also different from normal 24V's ?

[AlfaWhiz]

but... the end part, HEAD in the picture.. i think it's also different from normal 24V's ?

As you can see in the above post by 164 TD, for all FL/Super cars including Q4 the "HEAD" part (steering rod ends/tie rod ends) is the same, part number 60511622 or TRW JTE135.

[Alfan]

Has any one found the correct ones somewhere for the Q4, no. 9945941? I need to have the right side replaced.

[fasani]

Has any one found the correct ones somewhere for the Q4, no. 9945941? I need to have the right side replaced.

Alan,
Did you tried Frank Hanel (http://shop.ar-hanel.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

[Alfan]

Did you tried Frank Hanel (http://shop.ar-hanel.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

From what I can see, he does not have them in his shop. Anyway, I got them from someone else in Germany and hoping to get the parts this week. When I have them, I will take photos to compare with the ones for the FWD 164.

[AlfaWhiz]

That would be really neat if you could get some photos. To be honest I didn't have an option to take pictures, as everything happened on the spot in the workshop and the situation was quite tight, so we had to just go on and put the original rods back in.

Also, if you have a reliable source, please share with the rest of us.

[Alfan]

Package has arrived, but now I have 2 sets of wrong inner tie rods!!

So no photos to show the diff...

[Alfan]

So now I have 2 used inner tie rods from a Q4, 2 new with correct length and thread and 2 for FWD 164's. Photos are attached, I hope it is helpful for other.

[Mansen]

*thumbsup* Thank you!

[Alfan]

*thumbsup* Thank you!

And thank you for the photo documentation to get the right parts

[AlfaWhiz]

Perfection. Another mystery solved.

So the correct part for Q4 is Meyle 30-16 030 0009, as in the first photo, I suppose. I'm very happy that we managed to collectively crack this problem, hopefully others will avoid a lot of frustration when replacing inner tie rods in the future.

[Alfan]

Perfection. Another mystery solved.

So the correct part for Q4 is Meyle 30-16 030 0009, as in the first photo, I suppose. I'm very happy that we managed to collectively crack this problem, hopefully others will avoid a lot of frustration when replacing inner tie rods in the future.

Good to write down the number, if the photo should disappear

One thing after having them fitted, they are 4-5mm shorter than the originals, however, that should not cause any problems.