How much to tighten tie rod end nuts?

I put on new tie rods and I tightened down the nuts where the ball joint goes through the steering knuckle. I kept tightening until it felt snug, the problem is the nut is now well below the hole for the cotter pin. The cotter pin is supposed to go through the castle nut, correct? Did I go too tight?

Pardon the crude diagram but here is what I am referring to. Notice if I put the cotter pin in, it will just dangle above the nut.

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

You tighten them to the torque spec. If the hole does not line up with the opening in the nut you gently tighten until they line up. NEVER loosen them to get them to line up.
Probably have some wear in the knuckle or an aftermarket tie rod end/nut. The cotter pin is simply to keep the nut from coming off if it comes loose, not to keep it from coming loose. The distortion and friction from torquing it correctly does that. You may be able to find a castle nut with a higher base to take up the difference. I've seen lots of cars straight from the factory that were like your diagram. I never liked it, but there you are.

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

Would it be a bad idea to add a washer?

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

Would it be appropriate to use a thick washer under the nut?

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

I've done it in a pinch and seen it done but I don't like it. You are reducing the friction of the nut against the surface it's torqued against increasing the chance of it coming loose. Do you have a decent hardware store available to you? Or a decent parts house? They usually have quality castle nuts with different heights....

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

Yeah I'll try to find another castle nut, I have a Fastenal in town plus some hardware stores. Note I have not torqued these yet, I just tightened them to where they felt snug/tight, it is possible I over-tightened it but I doubt it. I'll put the torque wrench on it tonight and see.

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

yup taller castle nut or maby one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DORM...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories for the right size nut. Although i think youd be ok with a washer under the nut aswell

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

Last night I decided to remove the ball joint and start over using a torque wrench to make sure I didn't over-tighten them. I barely tapped the ball joint fork and it fell out so methinks the knuckle is worn -- 52 years of service will do that I guess. Put the ball joints back and torqued them (45 pounds...? I got different answers from different books) and the castle nut was still well below the hole.

I'll look for a taller nut but in the meantime two washers did the trick. I really don't feel like replacing the knuckle since I just got everything back together.

 

I know you don't want to but I would replace the knuckle now...if the ball joint came out that easily you have some serious wear. The washers are ok for a temp fix but no way I would use them long term. Do it once, do it right

 

Re: How much to tighten ball joints?

You're right, I know. I'm itching to get this thing on the road but I don't plan to drive it through the winter so I can do a knuckle replacement then. Too bad I didn't replace the knuckles originally, I spent hours cleaning and painting the old ones!

 

I wonder if you can just drill a new hole for the cotter pin ?