left hand thread or not??? Tie-Rod end

[ichbineinekrous]

So I'm replacing tie rod ends. Left and Right. The right hand side is easy. After removing the left hand side tie rod I begin to screw the new one in and realize that the threads aren't right. I compare the old to new and sure enough they aren't the same, so I compare the old right hand side to the old left hand side and they are identical. Is this correct? I bought left and right tie-rod ends from ******** and that is what I received but now it seems I needed 2 right hand tie-rod ends. What gives? I searched the old threads but didn't find any mention of this. Thanks. The car is an 85 300D if that makes any difference.

[toomany MBZ]

I have replaced a left hand side, (parts from ********) threads are normal. You may have a different pitch on the threads from old tie rod end.

[tangofox007]

On a given assembly, one of the ends is left-hand threaded and the other is right-hand threaded. If they were both the same, rotating the collar would not adjust the overall length. Normally, the inner tie rod ends are the same for both sides and the outer ends are the opposite thread direction.

It's possible that the assemblies were previously replaced in a non-mirror image fashion. That would work okay, until it's time to buy parts.

Interestingly, it's often cheaper to buy the entire tie rod assembly than it is to buy just the two ends.

[toomany MBZ]

I misunderstood, please forgive. I replaced the entire tie rod. Was thinking the lock nut on ball joint. Your threads may or may not be compatible as far as replacing just a section. ******** has both right and left threads. You'll need to check your serial # or, until it's off the car, no real way of telling.

[alamostation]

I have the same problem. An old MB mechanic explained it.

Everywhere your car's suspension has been worked on, including the factory, the mechanic has had an opportunity to swap left side to right and vise versa or substutute a right for a left or a left for a right tie rod.

He has seen cars with both sides RH thread, cars with both sides LH thread and cars with the sides reversed.

My car has only right hand thread tie rods. I found this out when I went to replace a tie rod end that was supposed to be left hand thread.

It's not the fault of your parts supplier. Blame someone in Germany (probably now retired) or a past repair shop.

Just go back to the place you bought the tie rod ends from and tell them they don't know their butts from a hole in the ground and exchange your tie rod ends for the ones you need.

[ichbineinekrous]

Well that explains it. Live and learn. The embarrassing thing is that I tried to screw opposite handed threads into the tie rod for at least 10 minutes.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by alamostation

He has seen cars with both sides RH thread, cars with both sides LH thread .

That is about as likely as seeing a car with two left sides. Having the same thread orientation on both tie rod ends in the same assembly just isn't reasonably possible.

Think about it. Rotating the sleeve would not change the length of the assembly; adjustment would not be possible.

Sure, if the assemblies were not installed in a mirror image fashion, you could have reverse thread orientation at corresponding positions for the two assemblies. (ie: the left outer is a RH thread and the right outer is a LH thread.) But you cannot have the same thread orientation on both ends of the same assembly.

[ichbineinekrous]

but it is possible to have both inner assy. rod ends be left hand and both outer assy. rod ends be right hand. Right?

And I thought laying on my back trying to turn brake shoe star adjusters while upside down was hard, lets see clockwise means the caliper is screwing in, but up is now down so I need to go down to go out. All hail disc brakes.

[Junkman]

Unfortunately, the problem (incorrect tie rod ends & sloppy mechanics) isn't limited to the Benz. I found 2 tie rods of the same side when refurbishing my 78 Datsun Z. In that case, the only effect was that the adjuster had to be turned in the opposite direction when setting toe. I also learned that an entire reman steering rack could be purchased for less than 2 inner tie rods. Gotta check prices when deciding between bushings only & a whole new part. Now to learn the intricacies of the SD suspension.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by ichbineinekrous

but it is possible to have both inner assy. rod ends be left hand and both outer assy. rod ends be right hand. Right?

That's normally the way it is.