Tie Rod end question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 32
From: Mission Viejo California
Tie Rod end question
Hi guys. i'm doing a rack swap right now and i am putting things back together. Last time I played with the tie rod ends when doing my alignment I noticed that the bolts on the tie rod ends (the ones that the cotter pin goes through to keep them from getting undone) did not want to go on there easily(I'm talking about the bolt that goes through the spindle and then is bolted down).
Anyhow, this time they didn't want to go on at all, even with the impact wrench. I don't want to strip the things. Anyone ever run into this? Any suggestions? Do I need new rod ends or do I just need to clean things up(it's a little dirty at the current time).
Thanks!
Anyhow, this time they didn't want to go on at all, even with the impact wrench. I don't want to strip the things. Anyone ever run into this? Any suggestions? Do I need new rod ends or do I just need to clean things up(it's a little dirty at the current time).
Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Penna.
If your saying that the castle nut would not go on the tie rod end even with an impact wrench did you get it sstarted on the threads at all? When you removed the tie rod from the spindle did you pound the tie rod out with a hammer? if you did, this may have mushroomed the end of the tie rod preventing the castle nut from getting started on the threads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Sounds like the threads are damaged on the rod joint. Did you beat the studs out with a hammer or did you remove them with a pickle fork type of tool? Rod ends are made of high grade steel you should be able to chase the threads with a dye....then try to reinstall the castle nut. As a personal rule I never reuse cotter pins....you can pick up a new bag of these for $2 at just about any hardware store.
