driving without steering arm bolt

[y0itzflip]

this bolt wouldn't go back in smoothly for some reason and my dumb ass kept trying to screw it in and ruined the bolt. is it safe to drive without it to get the replacement? or will it cause my wheel to go all over the place? and just to clarify...the bolt just goes thru the hole and tightens with the nut correct?

[old guy]

That pinch bolt is what secures the tie rod to the steering arm. The top bolt is the adjustment bolt for setting the raised toe.

The pinch bolt isn't threaded into the steering arm. It simply passes through the hole and clinched in place with the nut.

Personally i wouldn't drive very far without the pinch bolt in place. If you are just going a few miles of easy driving to get a new pinch bolt you should be OK. The car will steer fine up to point where you break the adjustment bolt from excessive flex and the tie rod drops out of the steering arm. Then it's flatbed time assuming you didn't hit something from a lack of steering.

[Luxus Panzer]

NO

[truea4b6]

Same problem here , make sure the flat edge of the tie rod is toward the right side (that's y bolt wouldn't go in)

[mauromj]

As Spike's post suggests, remove the end bolt and use an Allen wrench to spin the shaft of the rod end until that "cross" bolt will slide in. Done.

[old guy]

As Spike's post suggests, remove the end bolt and use an Allen wrench to spin the shaft of the rod end until that "cross" bolt will slide in. Done.

Here's a visual to go with the instructions:

[y0itzflip]

thanks for all the help. I didn't end up driving it. uber to ace and got another matching bolt (the nut was fine) going to follow all instructions once this Miami weather clears up.

thanks again guys. this forum has been very helpful lately.