Inner tie rod turns when installing outer tie rod?

[Kevin]

Just put a new outer tie rod on the 94 Mark8, and have a concern about the inner tie rod.

From what I understand, there is supposed to be a pin (to prevent turning?) on the inner.

When installing the new one, I had to use a vicegrip on the inner's shaft to prevent it from turning as I tightened the nut back towards the new outer.

Think the inner buggered too? Car seems to drive a lot better (been a while since driving it), but the on center feel is still vague. Could it be an alignment issue, or inner tie rod on it's way out?

 

[Sapperfire]

The "better" inner tie rods have a keeper pin, the cheap ones from vatozone don't.
In either case, the inner tie rod needs to be installed on the rack, then install the locking nut, then the outter rod
the shaft for the inner rod will rotate in the cuff nut where at joins the rack, this is normal and is the feature that allows a tech to adjust the toe setting without having to remove the outter rod from the knuckle.
Once the toe is set to satisfaction andthe steering wheel centered, use the nut on the inner rod to snug against the sleeve of the outer rod

 

[NickPims]

Inner tie rods from Ford does not have a keeper pin. Ford discontinuend the 'pined' tie rod ends in 1996. You don't believe in "Genuine Ford parts', do you?

 

[Kevin]

Closest Ford dealer for me is 1/2 hour away now (had one 1/2 a minute away but they just closed). Their parts are too expensive anyways!

Good to know that the inner one spinning isn't an issue, got a little concerned about that this morning. Talked with a mechanic today who let me know that they're a ball+socket design, the ball end freely rotates.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Sapperfire]

As long as you take it for an alignment you should be ok, the alignment tech will check for improper play before doing the service, he should anyway
it's a good way to grab a few more labor hours when other things need to be repaired before a good alignment can be acheived

 

[NickPims]

I ment that if Ford itself discontinuend the 'keeper pin design', why the others must keep it?

 

[Sapperfire]

Can't answer ya on that one

 

[NickPims]

So use 'pinless' design tie rod ends (with threadlock!) and don't worry