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MG MGA - Bad Moss Part?

Did I get some bad parts?

I'm installing new tie rod ends. See the attached photo. You can see that it appears that the bolt isn't seating deeply enough in the arm. You can see that the bolt end isn't coming all the way through the nyloc in the nut.

I measured the old tie rod end I got from Moss about 10 years ago. At a point 1/2" from the shoulder where the threading ends the diameter of the shank is 0.57". I measured the new one at the same spot and its 0.60". That explains why its not seating.

So bad part?

Is there a problem using the tie-rod end as shown?

Tysen McCarthy

I would not use it if the nyloc isn't grabbing the threads. Call Moss with the problem. If they got a bad run of them, order from Victoria British and hope that they don't have the same supplier's wrongly made run.
MAndrus

the threads are grabbing about halfway through the nyloc. I have an email with photos in to Moss.
Tysen McCarthy

I would not use them. Also, the Moss tie rod ends do not have a grease fitting. Scarborough Faire sells tie rod ends with grease fittings.

Jim
JL Cheatham

Tysen,

I would not use that tie rod end, far too dangerous.
You say that half the thread is in the nyloc.
That is not enough. To make matters worse most threads have a tapered "lead in" thread which would make the situation even worse than it appears.

Mick
M F Anderson

I won't even trust Nylocs - it is drilled and pinned (castellated nuts) or nothing. Does VB sell that type?
Bill Spohn

Cannot tell from the pic angle provided if the arm is seated correctly on the rod-end. Nylock's are made in 1/2-nuts, which are half the height of a regular nut, btw.
D mckellar

I'm with Bill,never seen a tie rod end with a nylon nut-always with a cotter. Is the stud drilled?
gary starr

All replacement track rod ends I have seen recently come with a nylock nut. I wouldn't drive with that combination. Either you need a longer shaft on the joint, or as someone else writes a half-height nylock nut. I am sure that if you check your modern car, it will have a nylock here.
Dominic Clancy

Nylocks are the only nuts supplied these days - they should have at least 2 stud threads showing through the end of the nut - less than that is an MOT failure in the UK.

I wouldn't use half nuts.

Chris at Octarine Services

Here are some more clues

Tysen McCarthy

New Part

Tysen McCarthy

Old Part

Tysen McCarthy

Ty, Think of the extra leverage on the pin if it is not seated to its full depth (see 'old' photo). And that set-up also alters the angle at which the steering arm operates - perhaps changing the steering dynamics.

Bin them! Not worth the risk. Barry.
Barry Gannon

Tyber-
We already guessed this possibility from the first set of "clues." Is this a game? I guess I win.

I said:

""Cannot tell from the pic angle provided if the arm is seated correctly on the rod-end.""

Did you really not know the 1/4"+ gap meant the critical steering lever was not seating? Are you looking for help, or are you just the board troll? You give measurements of the new male part, but give no measurements for the old female part of the lever. Are we to think the new part will not work, or that you are not trying to get it to work. Will your next "clue" show it fully seated? Maybe you are using the wrong lever, or you have it installed upside down.
D mckellar

Hi Tysen

It seems Mr McKellar has an attitude problem, there's no need for that tone here or anywhere else. If he can't be civil, he should go to the other place where it seems to be more accepted.

The parts are indeed faulty, but shouldn't be binned but returned to Moss or wherever you bought them with a complaint that they cannot be safely installed because they are too big.

What's wrong with the old ones?

Dominic
Dominic Clancy

If anybody thinks it would be acceptable to use any ball joint that was not seating as in the photo, especially but not limited to the steering, should not be doing repairs. Leave it to someone who understands !!
A J Dee

Thanks to all who had helpful responses. You confirmed my concerns.

I'll give Scarborough a ring
Tysen McCarthy

FYI, the tie rod ends from Scarborough Faire have castle nuts and cotter pin.

Jim
JL Cheatham

These seem to have the zerks, but still use the Nylocs:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-New-Steering-Tie-Rod-Ends-Austin-Healey-Sprite-inc-Bugeye-Lucas-w-Zerk-/151976027278

I don't much care for the use of nylocs on critical steering and suspension joints either. However, I also don't care for vendors who send defective parts and then refuse to take them back for a refund, so the SF joints might as well not exist as far as I am concerned.

I had a set similar to the above linked, NIB that my dad bought 30 or so years ago and never used... The rubber boots were toast but otherwise the joints were still new. I bought a set of the zerkless joints for the boots (which fit fine), then threw the rest away. Drilled the shanks for use with castle nut and cotter pin. Which only goes to show how much I hate SF... 8^)

I would be inclined to forgive D Mckellar a little bit of attitude given the potential consequences of improper assembly of these parts.

-Del
D Rawlins

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2017 and 27/04/2017

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