Megan Racing Tie Rod End Install

[drkidd22]

So, my front right tie rod end broke, the thread from the hex shaped long nut (the one that puts the inner and outer ends together for adjustment, aftermarket) got eaten away some how from the outer side, it might not have been threaded pretty good. I think it wasn't installed properly by my buddy, luckily It broke getting into the driveway and not doing 80mph on the Highway.

I couldn't find just the hex nut and I got tired of searching and bought a pair of Megan racing tie rod ends, I'm not sure about their quality. That hex piece is made out of aluminum so before I install it I wan't to make sure I do it right this time.

One thing I did notice is that on the left side of the car the hex nut seems to be pretty well threaded towards the end tie rod if I loosen that one a little will that extend the right side?
http://www.frsport.com/cart_resize.php?file=%2Fimages%2Fdetailed_images%2 FMeganRacing_MR6425_1.jpg
My questions are:

a) should the hex nut (the blue part) be tighten all the way towards the outer tie rod on both sides before installation??

b)are there any measurements I should make before install?

c) is there a guide for installing this type of tie rods?

I tried searching in google and found a guide for the spl ones but someone in this forum might know something better about the ones I got.

Thanks

[gsxr141]

you can measure the length of the existing tie rod to ball park the new one. then def get an alignment done. at least have a shop set the toe.
as far as the threads go, i would split the difference on the blue part.

[Teambadrun]

hey mate,
steer clear from pillowball tie rod ends, they end up bending and coming loose in the pillowball.
just get some replacement tie rod ends from your local car store.. they will be much stronger and better then these

[gsxr141]

i'd like to jump in here with a question. if you don't suggest using that style tie rod end, how do you compensate for the extreme angles when a car is lowered? i thought that style was used to level out the steering angle, and help avoid bump steer. isn't it bad to have the tie rods angled that far up to meet the spindle?

[Teambadrun]

well im not sure, but in japan ( shinji minowa, the creator of knuckles for GP Sports, daigo saito, 3 UP, koguchi POWER etc) builds his knuckle so you retain your standard (and or tein tie rods with ends - stock style but unbreakable*)


just use stock ones... i have had no issues even with stock knuckles. before i put in the knuckles from shinji back in 2007!

[drkidd22]

I'm only dropped about 1.5" on Tein springs and Tokiko struts. So I'll be getting the stock ones from advanceautoparts.com. My local store has some MOOG from which I've heard good things about

[Teambadrun]

sounds good man!
good luck with it! 1.5" of lowering isnt much really! you will be fine im certain.

let me know how you go ..