Is it possible to tighten (not remove ) the inner tie rod without it affecting the tracking ?

[allthingspossible]

Hi all
So I just replaced the inner and outer tie rods on my 2010 ford mondeo and after this i had 2 brand new tyres fitted along with tracking alignment getting done ..
A few days after I notice a quiet clunk turning steering wheel side to side when stationery . There is no play in either wheel whatsoever.

Assuming the inner tie rods are loose is it possible to pull back the plastic boot and try to tighten the inner tie rod without affecting the tracking ? Would i need to undo the track rod end from the hub as I try and tighten the inner tie rod ?

I'm guessing this wont affect the tracking as I wont be moving the actual track rod end outta place ill just be trying to tighten the inner tie rod but then if that tightens its obviously gonna move and twist so that's what is making me wonder if the tracking might be out after it ??

It didn't seem to tighten much at all when fitting tie rods back on after about almost a full turn every turn after seemed to wind back on itself which didnt seem right as I did this job on other cars and this hasnt happened its usually allowed me a few turns until actual tight .
I also uses blue lock tite on the inner tie rods .. tia

 

[Burnerman]

You have to ascertain which part is actually loose before progressing further.
You'll get some idea if the track rod is at fault if you can get the car up in the air, and get someone to rock the steering as you grip the track rod, feeling for movement.
If the inner joint needs to be tightened (God forbid) then the track rod end nut needs to be backed off first to allow adjustment.
May I ask, did you use any special tool to tighten the track rod ball joint housing, and did you observe the torque figure?
Any steering work needs to have the tracking set again.
John

 

[allthingspossible]

You have to ascertain which part is actually loose before progressing further.
You'll get some idea if the track rod is at fault if you can get the car up in the air, and get someone to rock the steering as you grip the track rod, feeling for movement.
If the inner joint needs to be tightened (God forbid) then the track rod end nut needs to be backed off first to allow adjustment.
May I ask, did you use any special tool to tighten the track rod ball joint housing, and did you observe the torque figure?
Any steering work needs to have the tracking set again.
John

I didnt use a special tool for the tightening sequence

It does seem to be in the inner tie rod being a bit loose.

It dont make sense cos when I was fitting the inner tie rod and tightening it up it didnt seem to tighten to more than just under a full turn and any turn after the first turn seemed to unwind or spring back

whereas when ive done this job before it took a few turns to go tight .. I used blue lock tite on the inner tie rods also
I was hoping I could just pull back the tie rod boot and tighten it with the spanner using the jack bar as extra leverage and that i wouldn't have to redo the tracking cos I wont be moving the position of the track rod ends from the position on the tie rods as I'll be turning the inner tie rod only via a spanner .. so should I drop the track rod end from the hub ans then proceed to try to tighten the inner tie rod ? Tia

 

[Old Salt]

I have just watched a you tube video of the replacement. He gets at least 6/7 turns on the inner tie rod using a special tool to grip it and a torque wrench.

If you only have 1 turn that is dangerous and should be checked immediately. The tracking will also need to be redone as obviously the tie rod will be a different length once it’s tightened correctly.

 

[allthingspossible]

I have just watched a you tube video of the replacement. He gets at least 6/7 turns on the inner tie rod using a special tool to grip it and a torque wrench.

If you only have 1 turn that is dangerous and should be checked immediately. The tracking will also need to be redone as obviously the tie rod will be a different length once it’s tightened correctly.

Do u have a link to said video please.

Im gonna look into getting the special tool to try and tighten it more.
That makes sense ye about the tie rod being a different length after tightening it.
Its getting a mot on Thursday so ill see if anything gets mentioned about it then .. there is no play or anything in thr wheel itself whatsoever

Thanks

 

[Old Salt]

Here you go

 

[Mottie]

If the inner joint needs to be tightened (God forbid) then the track rod end nut needs to be backed off first to allow adjustment.

Surely the cap will just turn/tighten the inner ball joint John? No need to loosen the track rod end.

 

[Burnerman]

Aye, you're right Mottie. My mistake!
I looked at the Youtube vid - never seen a U bolt used to tighten things up before.
John