[mike fleming]

Hi, I was replacing my outer tie rod ends today, and while trying to turn the jam nut, I noticed that the inner tie rod turned. I assumed it was not supposed to turn. I had a wrench on the jam nut, and a wrench on the tie rod end - but nothing on the inner tie rod.

I haven't changed an inner tie rod before, but I read about a pin/rivet/nut back there, and so I wonder, did i break something? or simply loosen something that can be tightened back up? or is it ok that the inner tie rod end spins?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[dbfruth]

It is supposed to turn, It is basically a ball and socket setup at the rack. If it didn't turn the alignment tech would not be able to adjust the toe angle. The tie rod is not disconnected from the knuckle during an alignment, rather the tech extends and shortens the entire tie rod assembly by loosening the lock nut and turning the inner tie rod so as to thread it into or out of the outer tie rod end effectively changing it's length and adjusting the toe.

 

[sheila]

^+1

 

[mike fleming]

OOPS that makes sense... how would you adjust it during an alignment if it didn't turn. Thanks!!