[30below]

Okay,i have the new ones installed on one side.The one in the spindle went in easy,but the one to the center link is pretty tight.Do i tighten up the nut so the shaft is all the way thru the hole in the center link?Or is it okay to have a quarter inch or so left before the tie rod butts up against the link?

 

[Mudcat]

I don't have my shop manual right now, but I believe there is a torque value for this. You set the torque then backoff the nut as necessary to install the cotter pin.

 

[65coupei6]

Steering and suspension parts should always be nice and tight. Never leave gaps. I also always go over torque values. You can never be to tight when safety comes into play.

 

[johnpro]

Never back the nuts off of steering components. Torque to the minimum specs, then TIGHTEN until the cotter pin will line up.

 

[johnpro]

There will be a gap. DON'T GUESS, though, on steering components, as your life (and the lives of others) depend on them being right. Get a good torque wrench and some sort of shop manual and torque everything to specs.