Tie Rod Nut Loose

[tsetsaf]

Our truck is a daily driver (15k in the first year alone). It has been an amazing truck except for the crappy steering parts. Not knowing enough to ask when we built the truck we bought the parts from one of the online places (ie all China crap not Moog). I have now replaced one outer tie-rod end (with Moog) and a Lower Ball Joint (with Moog also).

Yesterday I noticed a crazy amount of play on the other side and found that the outer tie-rod (this one is the China junk) was loose. Cotter pin was still in place. I removed the pin and torqued the bolt down to proper spec (only about 1/2 turn). Drove it and seems tight.

Could it be that this just loosened over the mileage OR should I just replace this one too? Anyone had this happen?

[steelhorse]

It may have not been tight enough to begin with of may have the wrong taper. I would tighten it and if it looked right just keep an eye on it.

[Steeveedee]

There are different tapers across years. Make sure that you got the right parts. Changes may have been made between the time the truck was made and the time you bought it. The wrong taper can allow the parts to work around and snap off in a high shock situation. It isn't enough to just replace parts, trusting that you go the right ones. I have friends who have customized their trucks with replacement idler arms and Pittman arms (that they have custom welded) that have different offsets for lowering, changed front clips, or whatever. I drive BEHIND them.

[special-K]

If the pin was still in then it didn't loosen at the threads. As steelhorse mentioned, it must have not been fully tightened when installed. Either that or the ball or socket end wore out. You'll know soon enough if it's the latter

[volksworld]

does it have disc brakes? if it was converted with 73-87 spindles they have a different taper than the original ones

[tsetsaf]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

There are different tapers across years. Make sure that you got the right parts. Changes may have been made between the time the truck was made and the time you bought it. The wrong taper can allow the parts to work around and snap off in a high shock situation. It isn't enough to just replace parts, trusting that you go the right ones. I have friends who have customized their trucks with replacement idler arms and Pittman arms (that they have custom welded) that have different offsets for lowering, changed front clips, or whatever. I drive BEHIND them.

Interesting feedback and something to watch for thanks.

On a side note I grew up in Simi. This truck was purchased from William L Morris when they had a dealership in Moorpark.

[tsetsaf]

Originally Posted by volksworld

does it have disc brakes? if it was converted with 73-87 spindles they have a different taper than the original ones

It is an 8 lug truck with the factory front disc brakes. Original spindles and control arms.