Hi All, replaced tie end rod needed to work quickly & in the dark.

Replaced tie end rod tightened it to 45nb  tighten locknut on rod reassembled car. Had the tracking done (they said all is good) after this I torqued the tie end rod nut to the 50nb (manual said) I did it while the locknut is locked ( didn't see any reason to disturb it). I can't see a problem and the car drives straight. Is it a must that the locknut on the rod be tightened after the tie rod nut?🙂

The lock nut's job is to secure the tie rod end once the tracking has been set. You should hold the tie rod end and turn the lock nut to avoid messing up the tracking.

So would you say I need tracking checked again? Because the outer tie rod nut was tightened much later after the wheel alignment?

2 hours ago, keeponrunning said:

So would you say I need tracking checked again? Because the outer tie rod nut was tightened much later after the wheel alignment?

Well, it would be, wouldn't it? I mean the lock nut has to be unlocked in order to adjust the trackrod length,

So would you say I need tracking checked again? Because the outer tie rod nut was tightened much later after the wheel alignment?

 

What? 

What?

Yes, the track rod end will have moved on the rack when you tightened it. Also, the torque setting is for tightening the locknut while you counterhold the track rod end to keep it in place. If you applied that torque without counterholding, you've probably moved it quite a lot. Whoever did your tracking will have tightened up everything correctly before they let it leave the workshop too so there should be no need to go back to it yourself afterwards.