SF Briarpatch (e) wrote: > ('67 bug problem) > Any time I drive it more than about 30 mph, the steering > wheel starts shimmying back and forth very quickly.
OK, so I replaced the steering damper, but the problem didn't go away. I replaced the front shocks but that didn't change anything either. Then I replaced the driver's side (short) tie-rod and guess what? No more problem.
Since I actually purchased both tie-rod assemblies, I still have to go back and replace the passenger side (long) tie-rod assembly. Before I finish things up, I have another question.
The Meyle (German) tie-rods seem OK, but there's a difference that makes me uncomfortable. The Meyle tie-rods don't use castle nuts and cotter pins, they use Nylock nuts and that's all (i.e. no cotter pin and no place for a cotter pin). That actually seems less safe to me. My brother, a long-time car enthusiast and former mechanic (who lives 2000 miles away), agrees. He suggested that I return the Meyle parts and buy tie-rods made by a "real" manufacturer, such as Moog. When I found the Moog parts online, I looked at the picture and saw that they are also using Nylock nuts rather than castle nuts and cotter pins.
My question is: Do you think the Nylock nuts alone are safe enough? Would using something like "locktite" on the bolt ends as an extra precaution be of any help?