2001 E150: Tie Rod End reattaching?

[jazzcat]

Howdy Folks,

I'm trying to reattach the tie rod ends after replacing the balljoints on my wife's 2001 E150.

How in the world do I prevent the ball joint attaching bolt from turning as I tighten it? I'm on step 24 in the URL noted below. If I use a crowfoot and grab on to the threads with pliers, then I risk damaging the threads, and I can't use a torque wrench that way.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...line_Vans.html

Thanks!
-JC

[mhg]

take a small amount of steel wool
and insert into the hole
then use a C-clamp to press the 2 parts together
you should now have enough bite to torque it down

[Clubwagon]

Most technicians use a big prybar to force the tie rod or ball joint down into the socket. That provides enough load to tighten the nut.