pin in tie rod

[tony 73]

There is a hole in the end of my tie rods for a split pin, but there seems to be a rolled pin in there. I imagine the split pin should be of a good size. Do I try and knock the pin out or drill it ? What do you guys have in there.
thanks for the help, tony.

[cudazappa]

Proper size punch/ drift is the easiest way to get those out.  There isn't that much tension on them.

Not sure if the factory used a cotter pin or a split pin in them, though.

[jhaag]

shoud be a castle nut with a cotter pin. someone has put a lock nut on there

[dodj]

shoud be a castle nut with a cotter pin. someone has put a lock nut on there

Are you sure about that? My strut rod had a roll pin in there. Maybe not original, but I thought it was.

[Moparal]

They came with roll pins. They do punch right out to

[jhaag]

you are right, he said tie rod and I really didn't look at the picture close enough. It is correct for a strut rod. my bad

[tony 73]

Great feed back as usual. My mistake for saying tie rod in the first place.
 So a rolled pin is the norm. Next question; Is the purpose of the pin to stop the lock nut from coming off ? My lock nut has been off and on a few times and only now when I was checking all my split pins did I notice the rolled pin. Should the rolled pin be longer ? do I need to replace them ?
 Thanks again, tony.

[jhaag]

Far from an expert here, but common sense says if the nut hs been "on and off a few times", replace the nut. Also I would say the roll pin should protude on at least 1 side as a secondary safety to keep the nut from backing off. Seems redundant but I don't see any other reason for it to be there. 

[dutch]

how tight should the nut on a strut rod be anyways?

[jhaag]

Mine are long gone, but if I recall correctly, they have a shoulder and a sleeve so you would tighten them until you can go no further. If that is not right someone here will chime in.