Hello everyone, I hope you've all had a good christmas and new year. I thought I'd better get an update on here as it's been a while and there has been some progress to report.
After getting messed around by a few companies (amayama, pfkling, fitinparts) who all claimed to have stock of the tie rod ends 53550-SS0-R01 (a suggested alternative to 53550-SS0-J61), and took my money and then refunded days later, I picked up the vectra tie rod end 93186321 (123spareparts.co.uk), and had that fitted along with the rack arm 53020-ss0-000 which I got thanks to vanzep. So far I've not had any issues and the chap that fitted it said it'd be fine.
I also found that moog have a page on their website where you can enter the specifications of the tie rod end you need and they will suggest something that fits -
https://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/u ... d_ends.asp I thought this might be useful if the vectra one’s become difficult to find.
I also contacted
https://amsteer.co.uk/ and
https://rebuilderschoice.com/ about making some, but neither replied back to me.
While trying to get this sorted I found out that the dust seal/boot 53954-SF1-J61 and band/bellows 53449-SM4-000 aren't available anymore. I ended up having to get some off of ebay from a breaker. So if anyone knows anything compatible mainly the dust seal, please let me know, I'm sure something exists out there that would fit.
However more concerning was that I couldn't find anything available for replacing the rack arms 53020-ss0-000, which although I'm sorted for the timebeing I can't help thinking that the other side is probably not going to last too much longer. I did find one on fitinparts, but again they refunded days later, I also found that Herth+Buss did a compatible part J4844025 and they even have them on amazon -
However they've not been in stock every time I check, I have asked to be notified once back in stock, maybe if we all do that they'll run some more off? Although I'll not get my hopes up. The other option obviously would be a 4WS delete kit, which I really don't want, but when push comes to shove, I'd rather keep my prelude on the road than have to get something else. So if anyone knows anything about that, it'd be great if you could share the information.
Thanks for all your support, and all the best for the future.