les87GTE Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 As the sun was shining for a change, I thought I'd take the car out for a little spin. Sadly, we landed up coming home on the back of a recovery vehicle. Whilst driving along a loud crunch and loss of steering resulted in me pulling over immediately and calling for assistance. The front drivers side (off side) steering knuckle had sheared off leaving me stranded. Does anybody know the actual part number and any availability of said part to fit a 1987 2.0e GTE Exclusive Coupé ? Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks, Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) Oh dear, used would be the best option. You do need a GTE one though as the steering arm is drilled in a different position( to give faster movement) Edited January 2, 2023 by Jessopia74 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 47 minutes ago, Jessopia74 said: Oh dear, used would be the best option. You do need a GTE one though as the steering arm is drilled in a different position( to give faster movement) I’ve got a spare but no idea if it’s from a GTE. How can you tell the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Be interesting to see the part, a photo to see what broke and damage done. Will also help finding you a replacement. Steering Knuckle ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 looks like it sheared just behind the bearing ? maybee it was tightened too much causing heat ? who knows. as jess mentions above .a gte one is drilled for the track rod end a fraction further inwards. you will see the obvious difference if you got the wrong type. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Early pair available on EBay which could get you mobile again if you struggle getting later type. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295099070540?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=BG9nKfrAT7e&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=6uKliTfERMK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY photo taken from retro rides which show’s difference. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 7 hours ago, Mickfrad said: Early pair available on EBay which could get you mobile again if you struggle getting later type. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295099070540?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=BG9nKfrAT7e&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=6uKliTfERMK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY photo taken from retro rides which show’s difference. I’m going to pin this picture on a separate topic in the mechanical section so it’s easier to find in future. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 the ebay ones actually look like they could be the correct type looking at third picture. owner needs to compare with the other side of his car to get a matching one .( or buy the matching pair and fit both )no guarantee at this age what has been replaced and not everyone knew there was a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les87GTE Posted January 3, 2023 Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 Thanks for all the replies above. I have been through the club archives and found the posts on the different types of stub axles, including the comparison picture above from Mick. I wasn't previously aware of the difference but reading through it all makes sense with ride heights, cambers etc. etc. However, I have trawled the internet as well and found some new old stock right hand side only, sadly, stub axles in Germany and will order one in a moment. Not the cheapest part in the world - what is these days - but at least it will be un-molested and will get me mobile again. I've already emailed them and they confirm NOS part, no second hand stuff on their site, and that this part fits all 2.0E & all GTE Manta's. I haven't had time to strip the car yet and so can't post any further photo's or compare to the left hand side at the moment, but will do when possible. Thanks again 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Seems a bit pointless buying new tbh, it’s a very uncommon part to have an issue with. You might need hub too so I would just ask for one in parts complete with bearings, seal, locknut, grease cover etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 These are my steering knuckles of my '87 Manta GSI, just painted and ready to install: As mentioned above the hole is more inwards. Probably Mr Carlos can help for a replacement 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les87GTE Posted January 3, 2023 Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 ...and very nice they look too, Herman. If I compare yours to the photo Mike posted earlier, they match the right hand one which should be right for my car. But, if I compare them to the Autoteile Haslop site they are different castings, although they are said to fit all GTE's. All very confusing, and annoying, to a novice like me. I will contact Carl and see what he has available 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 the one in the german advert / picture SOUNDS like the correct part in the description but the picture suggests otherwise. as mentioned above .the pair on ebay look correct and are matching and the price is good. thats what i would do. get them and replace the broken one and check other side at a later date. swap if needs be! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les87GTE Posted January 3, 2023 Author Share Posted January 3, 2023 18 minutes ago, cam.in.head said: the one in the german advert / picture SOUNDS like the correct part in the description but the picture suggests otherwise. as mentioned above .the pair on ebay look correct and are matching and the price is good. thats what i would do. get them and replace the broken one and check other side at a later date. swap if needs be! Couldn't agree more, now contacted Carl and bought his pair on ebay. Knowing my car they'll be different to the ones on it 🙄, but at least they're a matching pair. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 So the early ones give more lock, the later ones less, was this due to rim size, or maybe less turn, less effort, lighter steering, better sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 maybee due to the 14" wheels ? makes for a quicker but heavier turn, how noticeable over std stubs i dont know. saw the ones on ebay from a guy called carl.have bought from him before .no idea he was mr carlos on here thou ! ! you should be sorted now anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Do you have new wheel bearings too? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284371046185?fits=Car+Make%3AOpel|Model%3AManta&hash=item4235d5cf29:g:PgIAAOSw0bJg7pkD&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8IymbfyWGNMCaXBgIy7SIPFHfgR5Q7bdJI01le32JjQzuFk3qleJZdHK34%2FcrGJ68RenZK%2FyMoPxpiy04YzK0DSsST%2B79OJJJhuOxmTOo9T%2FO6j9yLluS35r37KYhI64XpJitvCd4RlOzCS%2FjG4orZtArdZKrInuh2uHiRutcVGM4WT3McqpFZR8uTQT9gDfPj0x%2BGQto5PpYzjawRrqkzg9RatsY9aQZ%2Bxbjl%2FZpgnSgagXp4rrY0IgLW07DLJRxE%2F%2FjQOaW%2BNKhmFJblLcWBv5VKliEL7KZoLC6eLO7wgrtTpyHC9CEYiInFtPx3a4SA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBM7N6b 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 8 hours ago, les87GTE said: Couldn't agree more, now contacted Carl and bought his pair on ebay. Knowing my car they'll be different to the ones on it 🙄, but at least they're a matching pair. Thanks all. It won’t matter if they are drilled non GTE they will easy the weight off your arms a little for turning 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les87GTE Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 18 hours ago, GTEPETE said: Do you have new wheel bearings too? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284371046185?fits=Car+Make%3AOpel|Model%3AManta&hash=item4235d5cf29:g:PgIAAOSw0bJg7pkD&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8IymbfyWGNMCaXBgIy7SIPFHfgR5Q7bdJI01le32JjQzuFk3qleJZdHK34%2FcrGJ68RenZK%2FyMoPxpiy04YzK0DSsST%2B79OJJJhuOxmTOo9T%2FO6j9yLluS35r37KYhI64XpJitvCd4RlOzCS%2FjG4orZtArdZKrInuh2uHiRutcVGM4WT3McqpFZR8uTQT9gDfPj0x%2BGQto5PpYzjawRrqkzg9RatsY9aQZ%2Bxbjl%2FZpgnSgagXp4rrY0IgLW07DLJRxE%2F%2FjQOaW%2BNKhmFJblLcWBv5VKliEL7KZoLC6eLO7wgrtTpyHC9CEYiInFtPx3a4SA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABFBM7N6b Yes, already have bearings amongst my spares but link much appreciated 👍. I'll replace 'stock' once sorted, as you can't have too many spares can you ? 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEPETE Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 A warning to all of us...do you recall hitting a kerb or anything similar with that wheel previously? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les87GTE Posted January 7, 2023 Author Share Posted January 7, 2023 On 05/01/2023 at 14:50, GTEPETE said: A warning to all of us...do you recall hitting a kerb or anything similar with that wheel previously? No, I don't recall hitting anything at all. Having only moved house a few months ago, I haven't had much time in the car lately but I do recall at it's last MOT (March) they mentioned a slight play on the front bearing and that they had been nipped up and so cam.in.head may very well be right in his suggestion. I've found my new bearings and, when the replacement parts arrive from Carl (due today), I'll get both sides changed for peace of mind. You live and learn .......hopefully 🤔 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 the daft thing is. these bearings are supposed to have a small amount of free play. some testers mistake this for wear / slackness and tighten them too much.its a tapered,adjustable,roller setup . yes on a front wheel drive car or a stub with a double row back to back ball bearing there should be zero play but not on ours. i reckon its been tightened up too much,caused heat and transferred this to the shaft and broken it .just a guess but its an unusual failure mode. sounds like you will be doing the work yourself anyway so all will be well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 4 hours ago, cam.in.head said: the daft thing is. these bearings are supposed to have a small amount of free play. some testers mistake this for wear / slackness and tighten them too much.its a tapered,adjustable,roller setup . yes on a front wheel drive car or a stub with a double row back to back ball bearing there should be zero play but not on ours. i reckon its been tightened up too much,caused heat and transferred this to the shaft and broken it .just a guess but its an unusual failure mode. sounds like you will be doing the work yourself anyway so all will be well. Very common mate and definitely more likely the cause of failure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 silly thing to mention as im sure you will already know but as this is a part that will affect tracking the front toe needs checking. if you do this yourself i would aim for a couple of mm total toe in to maybee 3 max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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