VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 Master Deluxe SS pitman arm/tire rod end nuts

Hello.
I've been spending some time prepping the front end of my 40 MD Sport Sedan for a fresh engine rebuild installation and noticed the nuts that secure the tire rod ends and pitman arm retainer plate/bushings were fairly loose. I had some mechanics put in a front end kit and I'm sure they didn't use the manual I let them borrow (they never do!). The nuts have cotter pins in place, but the nut rotates easily with my fingers. I studied the service manual and didn't really find how tight they should be. I know they probably shouldn't be loose, but not too tight as well. Front end stuff is obviously serious business!
Any help you pros could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Curt

Curt, the shop manuals usually don't specify torque values for suspension parts. My Daddy told me 50 years back to tighten with an 8 inch ratchet without busting a gut then tighten until the cotter pin slipped through the castellated nut and shaft. Been doin it that way ever since with no problems so it must be gospel. I'll bet that mechanic planned to come back after lunch to snug things up but a big plate of Linguini slowed down his thinking. Dan

Snug them up and back off just enough to get a cotter key through the holes. If it's close enough, snug them a bit more to get the key through.