Sierra rack in to mk4 - which track rods and track rod ends?

[disco_monkey79 33]

Hello, merry Chrismas, and happy new year.

 

I am sure I have seen this on this site but cannot now find. I have adapted my crossmember to take the Sierra rack, so now I need to order the track rods and TREs, as the rack came with neither.

 

From memory I think I need Sierra rods, and Cortina TREs. Can anyone confirm?

 

Many thanks

 

p.s. in case this is of use to anyone. Mk3 granada/ugly Scorpio racks are the same width (28") as Sierra, and use longer track rods to allow for the fact that the cars are wider. BUT the alloy Granny rack I ordered is quite a bit chunkier so would have required more chopping of the Cortina cradle. I opted to order a steel-bodied Sierra rack instead, which is a bit less "fat". It was also cheaper, luckily.

Edited December 29, 2025 by disco_monkey79

[sheffieldcortinacentre 759]

As far as I know it's as you said.

[disco_monkey79 33]

Thanks Craig. I have ordered the above, and will confirm either way once it all arrives.

Edited December 30, 2025 by disco_monkey79

[disco_monkey79 33]

Hi. So the Sierra arms and cortina rod ends arrived. They all attach to each other, and give the same overall length as the cortina rack I removed rfom the car, so that all appears good.

 

However, a follow-up question if I may. A google search suggests a 55lb-ish torque setting for attaching the rod to the rack. But the shape of it prevents use of a torque wrench. Is it a case of heaving it tight, and using some loc-tite for good measure?

 

Also each end of the rack has a small notch (a.k.a. wee hole) at the end of the internally-threaded section. Is that so it can be peened over (if that's the right terminology) to act as a locking measure? I had a squint at the Haynes, but it was its usual vague self.

 

Thanks

 

Edited January 7 by disco_monkey79

[sheffieldcortinacentre 759]

Yes just do up to FT, I presume so re the slot. Cortina used to have a locking point you knocked in if memory serves.

[disco_monkey79 33]

Brill, thanks. I figured it had to be the case, but wanted a 2nd opinion. Ta! 

[disco_monkey79 33]

Posting this in case it's of assistance to anyone. A manual cortina rack next to a steel cased sierra PAS rack.

 

Also there is a MK3 Granada/Scorpio alloy PAS rack. As can be seen it's the same dimensions and basic layout as the sierra one (they are, I am told, interchangeable, and use different length arms to allow for the different width of vehicle). But the pipe layout on the Granada rack would require more chopping about of the cortina crossmember, which I was reluctant to do.

 

Which is a pity as it's notably lighter than the steel one.

 

Anywho, wanted to share a picture before I stuck it on the car.

[sheffieldcortinacentre 759]

Yep they widened the frt but used sierra rear with 5 stud hubs which is why they always look odd from behind .

Edited March 14 by sheffieldcortinacentre