Torque on Tie Rod End... How much...?

[KNS]

I had a torn boot on a tie rod end that needed replacement. While tightening down the new rod end nut onto the steering knuckle, the book says 33lb ft. Okay.

How much can you go past 33 lb ft? At that torque, the little holes in the castle nut did not line up with the little hole in the stud for the cotter pin. I'm not going to loosen the nut so I tightened it a further (guessing here) five lbs or so to line up the holes to insert the cotter pin. I say five lbs or so because one or two lbs on the torque wrench moved it about a millimeter, not enough.

If I'm at close to 38 lb ft on that fastener is that too much? Certainly there must be some allowance for these kinds of things. Also, how many times is it okay to remove and re-install the (new) rod end?

Thanks...

[GaryR]

It's fine and common. Hopefully you neverseized the wedge for the next guy..

[KNS]

Thanks Gary for the reply. I figured it must be common. I un-did the rod end, tried a different nut and it lined up perfectly.

[KTL]

That torque spec is about the max for the castle nut. I've torqued those tie rod nuts to 30-something a few times and the nut has stripped/yielded. So just get close to the 30 and go a little more or less to get the holes lined up for the cotter pin.