Tie rod end/ Spinning

Tiny
JORDAZBRO
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD FAIRMONT
  • 300,000 MILES
Hi I have just lowerd my ford el fairmont on superlows on the front, the passenger side was fine, but soon as I change the driver side, I think its called a TIE ROD END it turns the wheel, I got if off fine, but now im trying to put it back on but it keeps spinning?So does the one on the top near the wheel?So I am confused what do I do, how do I fix it, please im freaking out
Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 10:20 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
REAL disappointed to read you altered the ride height. That is going to adversely affect handling, braking, steering response, and tire wear. Not to mention that lawyers and insurance investigators love to find things like that when you're involved in a crash that was the other guy's fault.

Anyway, the damage has been done. By "wheel", are you referring to the stud that's spinning? The end has a hex hanging down to use a six point socket to hold it, then you use an open end wrench to tighten the nut.
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
JORDAZBRO
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  • 9 POSTS
Hi sorry but thats not a picture of my car I was just showing you how it looks, here is a picture how it looks but the bolt is like a lock nut that a pin go's tho

but the first picture is the one that spins aswell its the tie rod end and the upper ball joint, near the wheel
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 11:47 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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The tapered stud has to be held up to make it stick to the hole in the steering arm. I use a large channel lock pliers to squeeze it up.

That looks like an original part. You can tell because Ford left the grease fittings off to save money. If you replace that outer tie rod end, the new one won't come with a lock nut. It will have a normal nut and cotter pin, ... And a grease fitting.

Another way to get that nut on is to "snap" it on with an impact gun by using repeated short bursts. That will shock the nut to turn a little each time you snap the trigger, but you'll still need to squeeze it with a pliers to put some resistance on the stud.
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
JORDAZBRO
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  • 9 POSTS
When I say squeeze it up. What do u mean. While tighting it try pulling the arm of the tie rod end up with something?
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Use the pliers to push the entire tie rod body up so it forces the tapered stud into the hole. You need the friction between the stud and steering arm to hold the stud from spinning. They had to do the same thing on the assembly line, otherwise that ring of plastic in the nut would cause the same problem you're having.

Use a large channel lock pliers and put the ends of the jaws at the two points with purple arrows, and squeeze hard while turning the nut.
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 10:02 PM
Tiny
JORDAZBRO
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok I'll give it a try. If it don't work I'll post some real pictures of my balljoints. So I'll do the same to the top ball joint
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Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 AT 10:47 PM

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