Track rod replacement

My 2000 Vectra B 1.8 needs new track rods. There is a mark on the bottom area of the pinion housing that looks like a double S within a square. Do you know if this is definitely a Saginaw rack? The total length of this inner track rod is 360mm; this would appear to be the length for a ZF steering rack. The other length (alternative part) is 365mm.

I ordered a track rod from a seller on ebay that came in a Comline box with part number CTR3112, but the length is 300mm – which is neither a ZF or Saginaw – and the inner thread is 18mm diameter instead of 16mm. I can’t get direct comparisons between ZF and Saginaw dimensions. Have you come across this difficulty in getting the correct track rod?

Geoff Martin

This is not a problem I have come across, but I am aware that manufacturers can use a variety of parts suppliers, which can make sourcing replacement components very difficult. It does sound as though your rack is a Saginaw, the trade mark is a treble S within a square, which does look like a double S when embossed into the rack. The ZF steering rack features the large ZF logo.

According to the data I have, both ZF and Saginaw racks have the same dimensions for the track rod thread; the dimensions listed for the thread are M14 x 1.5. The First Line part number for the ZF left-hand and right-hand rod is FTR4603, and the part number for the Saginaw rack is FTR4747.

The CTR3112 part number you have listed is identified as a tie rod axle joint on the Comline parts list; the dimensions given are thread M14 x 1.5 and length 279mm. The alternative tie rod part number is CTR3037, and the thread given for this part is M16 x 1.5mm, with no length specified.