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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Sodium Duck on October 23, 2011, 08:20:08 pm

Title: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: Sodium Duck on October 23, 2011, 08:20:08 pm

I put new tie rods ends on today. When I put the new castle nut on, I figured I'd torque it to about 50 ft/lbs. When I did that, the castle nut went below the hole for the cotter pin. When I backed it off to where the cotter pin would actually be doing something, the tie rod end was loose in the steering knuckle. Did I do something wrong?  ???

Title: Re: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: VileZambonie on October 23, 2011, 09:50:01 pm

These are interference fit. You should never back off to reach the castle nut to the cotter key. Try using the old castle nut if it's still in good shape and is the same assuming it's taller and what you need. Where did you get 50 lb-ft from?

Title: Re: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: bake74 on October 25, 2011, 10:42:21 am

     When rebuilding my front end, the same thing happened to me.  One of the tie rod nuts was shorter than the others in the box, I did what vile said, sometimes manufacturing just gets things wrong.   :o

Title: Re: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: mach1mustang351 on October 26, 2011, 12:10:12 am

That castle nut thing is pretty normal.  I have worked in parts for a long time.  I have seen chassis parts bad out of the box.  Always buy the good chassis parts.  Just my $0.02

Title: Re: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: Sodium Duck on October 26, 2011, 05:36:11 am

I was thinking about putting a washer or two in there to act as spacers.

I drove the truck last night, and it handled fairly well. No weird noises or handling issues. Everything felt ok.

Title: Re: New tie rod ends, too loose?
Post by: bake74 on October 26, 2011, 04:51:09 pm

     As long as the washers are tight and not real loose, I guess that would work as long as it would not come loose.