====== Custom Steering Bars & Rod Ends ======

This turned into a massive ball ache due to the Volvo TRE's being unobtainium. I ended up using [[http://emfrodends.com/|EMF Rod Ends]] and some custom bars made for me by Dan - thanks Dan!

For reference I used: [[https://www.emfrodends.com/collections/emf-heim-joints/products/heim-joint-small-3-4-16-thread|RH thread small 3/4" Heims]] (3/4-16 thread) with 1.625 x 3/4" Balls from EMF Rod Ends
Just for my own reference the dims are:

  * Thread Length - 2.5"
  * Head Diameter - 2.250"
  * Head Width - 1"
  * Overall Length - 4.850"
  * Total Weight - 1.5


Dan used 38mm EN24T for the bars, so more than up to the job. For comparison, [[https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/defender-drag-link-hd-steel-sumo-hd-740-2/|Gwyn Lewis's excellent uprated bars for Defenders]] are only 30mm.

Here's a Volvo rod end next to the EMF one:

{{ https://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie1617/500/20170725_092838_crop.jpg }}

I got the tapered adapter machined up to accept an M12 fine bolt through the middle, plus a top-hat in the top. This is therefore all above the original Land Rover or Volvo spec for the steering parts, because next to brakes, steering is something I do not ever want to take chances with.

Here's a Land Rover steering bar (hollow) against Dan's solid bars:

{{ https://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie1617/500/20170903_225029.jpg }}

Here's the bars installed - clearance is clearance!

{{ https://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/eddie1617/500/20170903_224554.jpg }}

{{ https://fuddymuckers.co.uk/gallery/s/500/eddie_18/2021-01-13_16-28-23.jpg }}