help with tie rod ends

[SleeperLS]

I am finishing up my brakes and installing the rest of the suspension back and I am having a issue with the tie rod end. That crazy looking nut will only go on a few threads before the tie rod end bolt itself begins to spin free with it. This seems to be an issue since it won't let me tighten the nut down enough. Any thoughts or solutions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Click to read more...

 

[daturbosix]

huh?!

 

[SleeperLS]

I guess that didn't make much sense. The bolt on the end of the tie rod that connects the steering system to the actual wheel bracket. There is a nut on the end of that which looks like a crown. It won't go on the bolt to secure the steering system. Maybe too rusty?

 

[daturbosix]

so you try to tighten the castle nut on the tie rod end that goes through the steering knuckle, and it just spins... doesnt tighten?

put some pressure on the tierod end where it goes through the knuckle. if its from the bottom, put a block of wood under it and jack it up to seat the taper part of the joint... then tighten nut...

if the tierod is ontop of the knuckle, then you have to figure out a way to pull it down to seat the joint.

 

[SleeperLS]

so you try to tighten the castle nut on the tie rod end that goes through the steering knuckle, and it just spins... doesnt tighten?

put some pressure on the tierod end where it goes through the knuckle. if its from the bottom, put a block of wood under it and jack it up to seat the taper part of the joint... then tighten nut...

if the tierod is ontop of the knuckle, then you have to figure out a way to pull it down to seat the joint.

Yup, it just spins. My passenger side one seems to be fine. The tie rod is on top of the knuckle on my car, so I will see what I can figure out here. Thanks for the help.

 

[SleeperLS]

P.S.-You might know the answer to this. When I am putting my axles back in, do they sit flush against the trans? they seem in and solid but the passenger side sits about a half inch away from the trans but the drivers side is pretty close, just not flush.

 

[daturbosix]

eh. you should feel them "click" into place. so once you feel that, your good.

 

[Runtz52]

I had this issue with my lumina, put the nut on a few threads, then pulse with an impact wrench, I couldn't get it any other way

 

[RICH17]

This had always been a sign of a failing tie rod end IMO. The tolerences should be tight than that so it doesnt spin that easily. Gotta try and put pressure down on the tie rod so it hugs itself against the knuckle more

 

[SleeperLS]

Thanks for the replys. I can't really get it to seat down enough for me to tighten the nut. I wonder if auto parts stores carry these tie rod ends. I might just go buy a new one and call it good.

 

[RICH17]

Thanks for the replys. I can't really get it to seat down enough for me to tighten the nut. I wonder if auto parts stores carry these tie rod ends. I might just go buy a new one and call it good.

Yeah theyre readily available for say 20 to 30 bucks. Wll need an alignment afterwards tho.

 

[SleeperLS]

sweet, thanks.

 

[b4black]

The end of the tapered ball joint shaft should have a hex end on it. You should be able to use a small socket that will fit up into the nut and hold it while you thighten the castle nut.

Also, try cleaning up the threads and putting some oil on them. Then the nut will spin on easier - once it reaches the knuckle, it will hold the shaft from spinning so you can toruqe it down.

 

[Alacran]

i have a moog sitting here that i ordered from rockauto

 

[Wrencher]

A lot of those stocker's have a ny-lock clinch nut instead of a castle nut.
They dont like going back on.
Everyone's suggestions are good, keep pressure on it w/a pry bar & an impact.

 

[Sprayin]

Look at the end of the bolt. There may be a hole to put a hex key in to hold the bolt in place while you tighten the nut with a wrench. I just did a Dodge that had this on there.

 

[SleeperLS]

good ideas here. I think there is a little bit of a hex end on it, but it looked a bit rusted out. It might just be best to replace it, but I will try these ideas and see of any of them work.

 

[syP]

Giant ass prybar to put pressure on the tie rod..


but it may be FUBAR'd already. Just put a new tie rod in.

 

[SleeperLS]

Giant ass prybar to put pressure on the tie rod..


but it may be FUBAR'd already. Just put a new tie rod in.

Yup dude, FUBAR is right. I took a closer look at it when I got off work a minute ago and it is toast. The hex end of it literally looks like someone took a drill bit to it and made it round and shallow...pretty much all rusted out. I tried putting as much pressure as I could on it without feeling like I was going to break something and it still spun. In all reality it is prolly the original factory rod end with well over 150k on it. Thanks for the help here gents, first time doing a build on my own.