This is a dumb question, but here goes... I'm trying to loosen the nut on the tie rod so that I can set the toe. Which direction do I need to turn it? I'm fairly certain it's clockwise, but it's pretty stuck and I just want to make sure before I put a lot of force into it...

 

lefty loosey, righty tighty

 

Or counter-clockwise to loosen, clockwise to tighten.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lefty loosey, righty tighty</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know that, but don't I have to move that nut around the tie rod's threads and towards the engine? I would assume that needs to be done in the clockwise direction. Or am I just missing something completely obvious?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Or counter-clockwise to loosen, clockwise to tighten.</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha...except j00 can l00k at the nut from either direction...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Weston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I know that, but don't I have to move that nut around the tie rod's threads and towards the engine? I would assume that needs to be done in the clockwise direction. Or am I just missing something completely obvious?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You loosen the locknut, then turn the flat part of the tie rod (12 or 14mm wrench)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You loosen the locknut, then turn the flat part of the tie rod (12 or 14mm wrench)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. It's the locknut that I'm having trouble trying to loosen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Weston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. It's the locknut that I'm having trouble trying to loosen. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, loosen it counter-clockwise (lefty)

 

i often find the lock nut to be fairly stuck. so i put a wrench on the outer portion of the tie rod where its square and flat, and lock it against something like the chassis. i think it requires a real big sized wrench like 22mm. now i can put a lot of torque on that lock nut, which turns normally, but i admit its always confusing because youre looking at it the opposite way, so its a bit unconventional. just look at the threads. good luck.

 

i often find the lock nut to be fairly stuck. so i put a wrench on the outer portion of the tie rod where its square and flat, and lock it. now i can put a lot of torque on that lock nut, which turns normally, but i admit its always confusing because youre looking at it the opposite way, so its a bit unconventional. just look at the threads. good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Weston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It's the locknut that I'm having trouble trying to loosen. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The locknuts thread towards the engine (away from you) to loosen. I wish I knew how to describe it better, but that's it. Good luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The locknuts thread towards the engine (away from you) to loosen. I wish I knew how to describe it better, but that's it. Good luck.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Right. That's why I'm assuming it's clockwise. I just went to Sears and got a big 19mm wrench, so I'm going to get that damn thing loose or break something trying...

 

I got it now. It turns out that it is clockwise (when looking at it from the side of the car). It just took a lot of force to get it loose. Thanks for the info guys.