I installed my outer tie rod ends last night but I couldn't get the nut down far enough to install the full cotter pin so I had to spread the pin and install half... is that far enough? I was applying close to 150 ft/lbs (I weigh 240lbs and I was draging myself toward the end while lying on the ground).
Sounds like you over tightened it to me. I don't know what the factory specs are, but I tightened mine to maybe 70-80 ft. lbs at most (didn't actually use a torque wrench), then tightened it just a tiny bit more (like less then 1/8 of a turn) until I could get the cotter pin through.
I think factory spec is 40 (at work, don't have the book in front of me) and then tighten to next flat so you can put in the key...
You should be able to get the pin in. Make sure you do it right. A faulty/rigged front end is just plain dangerous.
Maybe I should of clarified... the reason I couldn't get the whole pin through is because the nut isn't down enough not because the nut is to low. another words to get the nut to where I can put a whole cotter pin in I would have to wrench it down even more in which case I would need to either lube the press-in union area and/or have one h#ll of a long breaker bar.
There are two different size cotter pins: A big one for balljoints and a smaller one for tierods. Make sure you are using the right one.
I got the ones from RockAuto for the 1977 Maverick sents I have the disk brake conversion on my '74. I was using the pins which came with the tie rod end kits
You have the wrong taper my man, VERY DANGEROUS, Measure the one that came off then the new ones, I think you ll see the difference.
Definitely the wrong ends.Get the 80 Granada ends.Dont drive it!! untill you change those things out.
