In a message dated 27/01/2005 2:18:29 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

You  don't need loc-tite on the tie rod.  It has a lip on it that you
bend  toward a slot the rack (with a chisel or a punch)  after you get  it
screwed on.  That lip acts as the locking  mechanism.

I think you are all being a bit paranoid  here.  The tie rod ball joint end
will not come loose unless the ball joint  is worn or the tie rod end locking
nut is loose and the threads are free.   The ball joint cannot turn otherwise.
The locking tab is just security for  when the ball joint wears to the point
it can rotate freely.  Get a new tie  rod and try to turn the ball joint and
tell me if that's going to rotate by  itself while your driving down the
roadway.  I don't think so !  Just  tighten the ball joint into the steering rack
end and stake it best you can, it  will be just fine.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com