MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Tie rod nut

Changing track rod ends today and one side is proving to be a problem. Managed to get the end off but cannot move the locking nut at all. Appears to be seized onto the tie rod.
I've locked the tie rod with grips, tried plus gas and heat but well and truly stuck.
Any suggestions before I cut the nut off?
Also does anyone know the thread size of the tie rod? I was going to try 2 nuts locked together to see if that will hold the tie rod with more security than my grips.
I don't like being beaten so any advice much appreciated!
AdrianS

Heat normally does the job.

You may find that there are some flats on the tie-rod that you can get a spanner on.
Dave O'Neill 2

In the past I've had to grind a TRE off the track-rod, cutting a groove to just touch the tops of the threads. The heat from that was enough to get it off, compared to that a nut should be a doddle. If it doesn't come loose with that then a lump-hammer behind the nut and hammering a chisel into the cut should open it up, I've had to do that with drop-link nuts.
paulh4

Adrian
Try holding a large hammer against one flat on the nut and then give the opposite flat a whack with another hammer - move round to the next flat and repeat - keep moving around the nut doing this and it will give in willy
William Revit

Why do people keep referring to track rods, as tie rods, the clue is in the name of the thing that screws on the end of it, this debate is only open to UK members,
andy tilney

yours sound like mine did.
i took the steering rack out and put it in the vice. it was the only way i could get it off and even then it put up a fight.

i wish you good fortune. when you put the TRE back, make sure to smother the threads in copper grease.
G
Graham Moore

"this debate is only open to UK members"

Clearly not! And why should it be restricted? ... or did you vote for Brexit :o)
paulh4

Why do people keep referring to track rods, as tie rods

Probably because on many early cars that rod did tie the front wheels together. One rod from king pin to king pin. Steering was via a pitman arm to one king pin, transmitted to the other king pin via the tie rod.

Herb
H J Adler

I had the same issue. Removed the tie rod from the car, and put it in a vice. Wrench with a long bar extension - no go. Torch til almost glowing - no go. It is totally fused. I still have it. A one piece, non adjustable tie rod. Luckily I had a spare rod, put a new end on it, and all is good.
G Nicholas

This issue is the reason why most of us "oily rags" use copious amounts of copper slip or a n other anti seize compound. Often ridiculed but always with the last laugh!!
Allan Reeling

Exactly. Everything I have ever fitted or re-fitted to either of mine goes on with either copper-grease or Waxoyl. I even found myself doing it on reassembly of a non-car job recently.
paulh4

I had one stick like that once....put the heat on and quenched it 10 times. Sill wouldn't budge..
Finally when it did move...it stripped the threads everything it traveled over.

Sometimes you just cant savem! Luckly I had another rack..but man way way more work than I anticipated.

I should have just removed the whole thing from the inner!
S

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2016 and 14/07/2016

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now