Hello,

I am planning on refreshing my r53's outer ball joint and inner tie rod.

My question is here is, what is the default length specification of the inner tie rod and the outer tie rod ball joint?

I looked everywhere even in manuals there's no mention of this. I am sure they have atleast a standard length when they first assembled this from the factory, then calibrate\ or align later at QC department.

Here's a sample of what I am talking about, this one is from an infiniti sedan they have the exact measurement.





Now for R53 minis what would this be?




Thanks in advance.

 

Never come across that in the world of euro stuff ( Volvo, Audi, SAAB, BMW or Mini. Measure / thread count the old, compare lengths of new parts, adjust as close as you can.

 

There might be something like that in the Assembly Instructions at the Factory, but us lonely wrench turners have to do it the practical way ... measure the old one (the one on the car) then set the new one to that measurement, the front end will still require an alignment, but this should get it close. You can also use the "String Alignment Method" to set your alignment but I would still recommend a full blown alignment when done.

Motor On!

 

you can match the old tie rods lengths or get it close and go for a proper alignment after

the length here will very somewhat on different cars

 

I can't believe the europeans don't have the standard measurement for this. So you are saying say we have 5 Assembly Techs doing the same thing assembling the inner and outer tie rod, Tech1 is putting 2 inches, Tech2 = 1.5 inch Tech3 = 3 inches and so on., each one has its own ? depending on what what the tech put in? there's got to be standard measurement, these guys are assembling from scratch.

I know what you're saying "measure the existing one" but I am assembling this from scratch I am bringing it to stock factory then after that I will bring it to Alignment shop.

The reason why I want to do this is for some reason the mechanic who worked on my r53 put in different brand Inner and outer tie rods with different sizes ( i want to replace it with OEM, or original ), so now which one I am going to measure, I mean which one is closest to factory based on what I have?

That's why I asked for this.... there's got to be standard when they assembled this.

 

see the problem is the freakin tech put in two different no name brands, with different sizes so which one am I basing the measurements? It look like tech didn't do proper replacement, like they replaced only one side with different side then say 2-4 years later replaced the other side with a different one totally different from the other side. The other one is shorter, so when I measured both big difference it's like one is compensating for the longer length.
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What I want to do is replace both sides, with a proper one, set it to standard factory defaults this way I can drive it to alignment shop.

 

Very little benefit using OEM BMW / Mini tie rods, other than the weight reduction from costing more than aftermarket. If you are worried about each side being a different manufacturer, size, or quality, just make sure you get the same brand for your replacements. Lemforder is an OEM supplier. Here is a quality kit from a respected vendor:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/min...-32106777522kt

As for preassembly... I wouldn't stress over it too much. Remove the old rods, install and assemble the new ones so they are the same length on both sides, adjust the steering wheel pretty straight, and use strings to perform a preliminary front alignment. Then, take the car directly tot he shop for final precision alignment. Done.

 

i would suspect that you're right that the factory workers probably have some reference available to them. i also doubt that info is generally shared online.

it won't be a big deal to adjust, though. install it halfway and then you have room to go in or out. realistically you're looking to save yourself a couple turns adjusting. the juice is not worth the squeeze in my mind.

 

Here are my options for now:

1. Like what you guys suggested I will go ahead measure my existing ones.

2. My friend offered his R53 2003 for measurement, his never monkeyed around all original parts from factory. Meaning it was never replaced, never went for alignment it is still all factory/adjusted stock parts ( inner and outer tie rods ).

The here is problem mine is a 2004 it has different version outer tie rod version.

 

I appreciate your efforts to get your ducks in a row before tackling the project. I also think you're making it difficult on yourself. And you can measure your friend's car still, just measure from the start of the threads of the inner tie rods. Easy. And you're just eyeballing it anyway. It's easy to adjust. If you get it assembled and don't like it, jack up the car and adjust it.

 

By the way since I am already here. How do you guys lock this thread? inner tie rod to steering rack looks like mini did not design this with a lock washer? like the japanese cars.

 

I normally just put blue thread lock on those threads and torque to specification with an inner tie rod tool.

 

That inner bolt also has no where to go. It is sandwiched in between the rack and the outer joint. But some threadlock can’t hurt. Just no red.

 

If that inner tie rod loosens from the rack, you'll lose steering on that wheel as the whole (inner and outer) tie rod separates from the rack. I have never experienced loss of steering to one wheel, but I can't imagine it ending well.

 

if your inner tie rod magically backed out half an inch, your steering geometry would be so far out of wack that you'd have to stop and look at it. i can't imagine it would be able to back out unless you just pay absolutely zero attention to driving your car or completely ignore severe warnings.