Re: Problem replacing tie-rod end.

[Rahul Singh <rst@icsl.ucla.edu>]

When you hit the tie rod end, I think all you did was force the ball into
the final position in the strut.  Pratically the ball can only fit one way
into the strut.  Hitting it with the hammer is pretty much the trick, the
only thing you could of tried is cleaning out the hole in the strut.  The
ball joint shouldn't be damaged.  Just to make sure check the top cover
and see if you dented to bad that it would prevent the ball full travel at
all.  I hope this helps,

Rahul
'89 200T

On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, Aleksander Mierzwa wrote:

> Hello List,
> 
> Yesterday I replaced the LH tie-rod end on my 5KT. Everything went pretty
> smooth except when I attempted to tighten it with a new self-locking nut,
> the threaded shaft would turn and there was no way to grab it with any tool
> to prevent it from turning. I tried pressing on the balljoint, but it was
> not enough to prevent it from turning. Finally I decide to give it few hits
> with a hammer and this did the trick. I have two questions:
> 1. Is there any trick I don't know of to prevent the shaft from turning?
> 2. How big is the possibility that I damaged the joint in any way by
> hammering it? 
> Anyway, car feels much tighter now, but all suggestions appreciated.
> 
> Aleksander Mierzwa
> Warsaw, Poland
> mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
> 87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
> 88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
> 91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)
>