Dmax Techs and Mechanics - Toe-in Adjust

[afp]

I need to reset the toe on my rig after messing with the suspension. Of course, I was especting to just loosen a lock nut, the adjust both tie rods equally until I'm at the proper toe setting.

Well, the nuts appear to be part of the tie rod ends. Are the nuts part of the tie rod or are they seperate? Are these tie rods adjusted any differently than others?

Blaine

[BADMAX]

LOOSING THE NUTS, THEN TURN THE INNER TIE ROD.NO DIFFERENT THEN MOST. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. KEVN

[SoMnDMAX]

Ditto to what BADMAX said. You'll need three wrenches- first, put a wrench on the jam nut and the outer tie rod- crack the jam nut loose. Back the jam nut off a few turns. Then, put a wrench on the outer and one on the inner, and do your adjusting. Run the jam nut back up, and tighten. Sometimes you need to put a wrench on all three pieces to get everything tight again.

The tierod setup is similar to rack and pinion style front ends typically seen on front wheel drive cars- long inner tie rods, a jam nut, and the outer tie rod.

[afp]

Gusy,

The lock nuts are extremely tight, even after soaking for a while in penetrating oil. I am leery of hammering on my "loosening" wrench, as it's difficult to keep the tie rod supported--though I did make some tentative blows. I have a 12" crescent wrench on the outer tie rod end and a 12" open end wrench on the nut. I do have a 15" wrench, and I can probably get more leverage on the nut.

Should I apply the extra leverage?

Will I damage the outer tie rod end if I let it bottom out and have it hold the full force of loosening the nut? (I assume this not a good idea).

Are these right hand threads?

I have never had this much difficulty setting toe before.

Blaine

[SoMnDMAX]

They are tight. You may need to use a longer wrench, or even (gasp) a cheater bar. Don't let the outer "bottom out" against itself. That isn't good for them at all.

They do have right hand threads.

Did I mention that they may be tight? ;)

I've had to use a torch before to get the jam nuts loose. Just a touch of heat on the nut usually would do the trick- just enough heat to turn a small spot on the nut a different color. The nut will loosen right up. Use EXTREME caution not to use too much heat!!

[afp]

Thanks--I got it done. I took the big wrenches. I'm a tad bit heavy in the toe-in, but since I'm measuring tire tread with a tape, i figure it's best to be on the conservative side. The truck handles great with where I have it set.

Blaine