Track rod lock nut

[Chris Edgar]

Planning to replace the TREs, I have tried, & failed, on 3 occasions to loosen the track rod lock nut on one side (haven't even attempted the other side yet)

Yesterday was the latest failed attempt, even using heat from a propane blow torch.

Rather than removing the whole steering rack & getting it in a vice, I am considering carefully sawing into the nut until there is only a little thickness left & then splitting it with a cold chisel.
Hopefully, with the lock nut removed, the TRE will then screw off & I can replace the lock nut with a new one & fit the new TRE.

Does this sound like a cunning plan?


Chris

[Ratbag]

Don't forget that one side will likely be a left hand thread (unless cheap repro TREs have been used in the past.

Phil.

[bmcecosse]

NO - it's NOT LH thread. As long as you have new lock nuts ready - it's a good enough plan. But I'm surprised you can't shift the locknuts. Just use a larger spanner!.

[Ratbag]

NO - it's NOT LH thread. As long as you have new lock nuts ready - it's a good enough plan. But I'm surprised you can't shift the locknuts. Just use a larger spanner!.

You're right (!) - but now I'm questioning just where I came across that, because I definitely have experience of TREs being a s*d to adjust because cheap ones weren't left handed... (could be track rods now I think of it)

[les]

Removed, as I'm now having doubts!!

[ian.mcdougall]

Did you leave the TRE connected to the swivel pin

[simmitc]

Wire brush threads and nuts. Soak in Plus Gas for a day. Then soak in Plus Gas for a day. Select a perfectly fitting spanner. Apply good heat to the nut. Fit spanner, take up the slack, and hit with a big hammer - make sure that you are hitting CLOCKWISE as you want the nut to move on further, away from the TRE. Leave the TRE connected to the steering arm until after you have loosened the nut. Good luck.

[mike.perry]

Smack the locknut with 2 hammers simultaneously, that often shocks the nut loose.

[beero]

I find gripping the steering arm with HUGE stilsons works for me.

[bmcecosse]

Steering arm ? How will that help?

[simmitc]

It stops the whole thing moving around and makes it easier to hit!