Tie rod end tighten?

Tiny
TJMOWBRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MITSUBISHI GALANT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 263,000 MILES
Changing a tie rod end do I tighten the nut all the way down or just enough to get the cotter pin in
Friday, March 13th, 2026 AT 7:46 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,127 POSTS
You should tighten the tie rod end nut fully to the proper torque specification first, and then align the castle nut slot with the hole for the cotter pin. Do not leave the nut loose, that will cause the tie rod end to rattle inside the spindle bulkhead. Ken
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Saturday, March 14th, 2026 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,620 POSTS
The tie rods usually have a torque range. My SOP is to tighten them to the minimum torque, then see if any of the holes line up? If yes, install the pin. If not you can still tighten it within the spec until they do line up. FYI the "fixing nut" on yours has a torque spec of 24-33 Nm ( 18-24 ft lb) Just don't go to the top number first, you don't really want to back off if possible.
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Saturday, March 14th, 2026 AT 11:49 AM

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