Are outer tie rods supposed to move?
There should be no movement. If it helps tie a string between the two Castle nuts or locking pins. You should do this with the suspension loaded normally and the tires straight. You need to test both sides.
What should the inner tie rod torque be?
You will need to jack the car up first. Tighten the nut to 30 N.m (22 lb ft) plus 120 degrees . Visually inspect to ensure that 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 threads are visible past the nylon washer. Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft). Please let us know what happens so it will help others.
What do you do when you break a tie rod?
Use a torque wrench to ensure that you twist the inner tie rod end to the correct torque values. Slide the boot back onto the inner tie rod. You will have to replace the clip that you broke, as they are a one time use only. It is ideal to have one before you start the job.
Where are the tie rod ends on a car?
Locate the outer tie rod end. When you remove the wheel, you will be able to see the steering knuckle. There will be a shaft going through this knuckle with a castle nut on the bottom and a round head on top. This is the outer tie rod. Locate the inner tie rod end. Cars often have an inner tie rod end as well.
What should the outer stud nut be on a tie rod?
The outer stud nut is listed as there should be 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 threads sticking out past the nylon washer, which implies it is a lock nut. A replacement tie rod end with a cotter pin. I used a 3/8″ air impact to run outer tie rod nuts on.
You will need to jack the car up first. Tighten the nut to 30 N.m (22 lb ft) plus 120 degrees . Visually inspect to ensure that 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 threads are visible past the nylon washer. Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft). Please let us know what happens so it will help others.
How do you replace the tie rod on a car?
Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. The shaft of the tie rod end will fit down through the knuckle just as the old tie rod end did. You can move the knuckle and the tie rod end as needed to get them to align properly. Tighten the castle nut.
Why do you need joint separators on a tie rod?
The tapered stud of the tie-rod will get stuck in the tapered hole in the knuckle when it’s clamped together with the nut. That’s why you need joint separators and such to get them apart later. So like lukeman was saying if you apply some downward force on the tie-rod while tightening it, that locking action should help with the spinning.
The outer stud nut is listed as there should be 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 threads sticking out past the nylon washer, which implies it is a lock nut. A replacement tie rod end with a cotter pin. I used a 3/8″ air impact to run outer tie rod nuts on.