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Alignment question - cross tube locknut release?

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Velox

Velox

Jedi Hopeful
Offline
Looking for the correct direction to release the track rod (cross tube) locknuts at each end so I can adjust the toe-in on my BJ8 - I have measured a 3/4 inch toe-out so need to adjust this but the steering manual states the cross tube is threaded right-hand at one end and left-hand at the other, but which end is which? It probably is obvious, but I don't want to make a mistake as my locknuts are very tight and I need to be sure I use force in the correct directions. Laying down on the floor in the front of my car looking at the cross tube on my left side is the passenger end of the cross tube - which way does that locknut release from where I am in front of the car - clockwise or counterclockwise? And to my right is the driver side end of the cross tube - which way on this one? Thanks anybody for help on this, I searched here and on the internet for an explanation but it seems it is obvious to those in the know which doesn't include me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
Well I do not know which way is which either, so I just grab the cross tube and try to unlock the nut in one direction if it does not come loose I turn it in the other direction seems to work out that way.---Keoke
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

Hi Keoke, thanks, I tried that, they are so tight I thought I might cause damage by the amount of force I was using. I tried on both locknuts in both directions and no-go. Would heating the locknut help? I appreciate your thoughts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

keoke,when i noticed you responding,i thought for sure you waz gunna tell em to "cut somthin off" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

velox,drivers side = left handed threads / pass.side = right handed threads,dont belive me? go to moss motors check out a.h. 3000 stearing,click on item # 39.to make sure were talkin the same piece! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

Yup that's the answer Anthony, THANKS /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
Now I know which direction to loosen the locknuts, but unfortunately they are well frozen so I'm going through the penetrating oil, tap tap, heat, oil etc routine hoping to get these loose. Thanks again for everyone's help, this is truly a great forum and a huge resource /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

Yep Skip, he needs a good pipe wrench on that cross tube.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

[ QUOTE ]
velox,drivers side = left handed threads / pass.side = right handed threads,dont belive me? go to moss motors check out a.h. 3000 stearing,click on item # 39.to make sure were talkin the same piece! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Dangerous nomenclature this. Drivers side depends which side of the road you drive, and to be strictly correct is probably the opposite to what you intend considering the vehicles in the US are a varient of the original UK model.

Far better to say left or right hand side

AWEM
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

[ QUOTE ]


Dangerous nomenclature this. Drivers side depends which side of the road you drive, and to be strictly correct is probably the opposite to what you intend considering the vehicles in the US are a varient of the original UK model.

Far better to say left or right hand side


[/ QUOTE ]

For maximum obfuscation use the original terminology: near-side and off-side.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

james wilson,i agree,however velox did a very good job discribing his orientation to the vehicle in his first post,eg."laying on the ground facing the car-left- right" so on,i just fallowed through with what hed establised,luckaly his stearing wheel is mounted exactly where it should be,on the drivers side! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hello Velox and welcome to the Forum. There are others better suited than I to reccommend this but here goes anyway since advice is free. I wrapped a shop towel around the tube then using my largest pipe wrench (note BIG TEETH) I was able to loosen them. However, after doing that I noted a wrench could actually be placed on the end fitting and yet another wrench on the locknut. The other side came off much better that way. Could be you can get greater torque on the wrenches as they are closer together. As for as whether their sided or not, how do you know which end is which, I mean couldn't it of been installed either way?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

I went through this recently and had the same issue. Don't know if it's like on my BN6, but there was enough exposed thread on the rod to correctly determine the "hand" of the locknut. And yes, I did have to coax the nut loose with some love taps (dead blow rawhide mallet w/lead shot). And yes, I used a pipe wrench with a towel to counter the rotation of the rod.
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

[ QUOTE ]
james wilson,i agree,however velox did a very good job discribing his orientation to the vehicle in his first post,eg."laying on the ground facing the car-left- right" so on,i just fallowed through with what hed establised,luckaly his stearing wheel is mounted exactly where it should be,on the drivers side! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah the never ending argument. But 7777 was he lying on his back or his stomach.???--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

Well this has indeed been an adventure. Thanks to all for their input, several pointers helped, like gripping the tie rod end for countertraction (did not know it had flat surfaces for wrench attachment until a few pounds of muck were scraped off)and clearing the threads of gunk to try and determine their direction /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif Anyway, I attached several gidgets, counterbalanced the whosits, wrapped four widgets on each cross tube nerf handle and cross referenced all of this to the Moss diagrams confirming specific part numbers and using the diagrams including circles and arrows to explain it all, and VIOLA /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif I ended up with it all exactly backwards, and eventually figured out the threads were traveling opposite to what I had calculated /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif On my car (lying on my stomach /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif) from the front looking at the right (driver's USA style /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif) end of the cross tube the loosen direction was CCW /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif and the left (passenger side, no steering wheel, USA style /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif)was CW to loosen. Which is opposite of what the Moss diagram shows /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif Oh well, it was a HEALEY project after all, and couldn't have been more fun! By the time I had things loosened the locknuts looked like shrapnel so as soon as I get two new nuts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I will finally be able to reassemble it, hook up my alignment plates, and go for that 1/16" toe-in. So again thanks FORUM /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif what better to do at 8 degrees F outside with new snow on the ground?
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

Well Velox, Sorry to hear about the nuts, Glad you were laying on your stomach otherwise I would have thought the wrench slipped. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif But All is well that ends well .---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

[ QUOTE ]
Which is opposite of what the Moss diagram shows

[/ QUOTE ]

The factory diagrams/Moss diagrams generally have RHD parts and assemblies illustrated. The LHD drive cars were considered a 'little export' project. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers,
John
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Which is opposite of what the Moss diagram shows

[/ QUOTE ]

The factory diagrams/Moss diagrams generally have RHD parts and assemblies illustrated. The LHD drive cars were considered a 'little export' project. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers,
John

[/ QUOTE ]

I rest my case re the 'USA variant'

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif

AWEM
 
Re: Alignment question - cross tube locknut releas

keoke,now think about the never ending argument for a moment he said "im looking at the car" hes not on the floor facing away from it lookin over his shoulder,only i can work on cars like that!it wouldnt matter if hes layin on his back or stomach,his left would still be his left and his right would still be his right!hopefully the stearing wheel stays were it should be,on the drivers side! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
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