Tightening tie rod ball joint jam nut

[pomai]

How do you tighten the outer ball joint jam nut on the OffRoad Design high steering tie rod. Some other makers of the after market tie rods have flats ground into them so it can be held with a wrench while tightening the jam nut, I sure this weakens the tie rod.
Any ideas on how to tighten these jam nuts?

Thanks, Ed

 

[smokkey1]

I used vice grips.

 

[pomai]

There must be a better way. I'm not going to use vise grips. Thought of drilling out a large nut then slipping it over each end of the rod & welding it.

 

[FWP]

Pipe wrench or huge channel locks. It's DOM, it won't hurt it.

 

[pomai]

The tie rod and everything is going to be painted. What do you think of the large nut welded on each end of the tie rod to hold it with a wrench while tightening the jam nut?

Thanks, Ed

 

[FWP]

Since you asked my opinion, it won't matter whether it's painted or not.. If you want to weld a nut on there, go for it. In my case it was installed for function, not looks. A welded on nut won't make a difference, IMO.

 

[sled_dog]

Since you asked my opinion, it won't matter whether it's painted or not.. If you want to weld a nut on there, go for it. In my case it was installed for function, not looks. A welded on nut won't make a difference, IMO.

eh I'm with him. I hate taking the time to paint something like that only to have to ruin it when installing it. I doubt a couple of flats machined into the ends is going to really weaken the tierod at all. Mainly because the flats will be at the point where the TRE is, pretty well making the link solid at that point.

 

[MuddinManny]

How do you tighten the outer ball joint jam nut on the OffRoad Design high steering tie rod. Some other makers of the after market tie rods have flats ground into them so it can be held with a wrench while tightening the jam nut, I sure this weakens the tie rod.
Any ideas on how to tighten these jam nuts?

Thanks, Ed

Can someone post a pic of exactly what Ed is talking about? I feel stupid but what exactly and where is a jam nut and where does it go?

Manny

 

[MuddinManny]

Hey Guys,

I need help on this. I'm going to install the 1.5" tie rod today. The only nut I have is the big nut on the end of the tie rod. Is that the Jam Nut? I don't know what they are!

Manny

 

[MuddinManny]

never mind. I found out. Duh!

 

[Leper]

I used a pipe wrench. You could weld a nut over it or just tack on a couple of flats to the top and bottom. Or just touch up the paint when finished.