Loctite?

[drwet]

Replacing a wheel bearing on our 2013 Ram 1500 4x4. Surprised to see no cotter pins in the ball joints or the tie rods. What keeps the nut from backing off??? Should these be Loctited?

 

[Jeepwalker]

The ball joint studs are tapered and pull 'tight' into their tapered bores of the knuckle when you torque them down. Same as steering joints.

My guess is when you took the originals apart they didn't separate w/o significant persuasion.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

That nut probable has a nylock thread on the inside of the nut so it will stay in place when you torque it down.

 

[drwet]

That nut probable has a nylock thread on the inside of the nut so it will stay in place when you torque it down.

To be honest I didn't look close enough to see if the nut had any kind of a locking feature. I will certainly have a look at that before I reassemble the truck. If the nuts are fiberlock or other locking device, they should probably be replaced. Are they available without buyig new tie rod ends and ball joints? Cotter pins would make a lot more sense.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Hardware stores sell nylock nuts ...if that's what your question is. Also, a lot of aftermarket joints do use cotter pins.