I'm replacing a few suspension components on my '96 Maxima including tie rod ends. Can I reuse the lock nut on the inner tie rod end (that one that prevents the outer tie rod end from turning after alignment), and use that to obtain a rudimentary alignment, just to get the car to the alignment shop? My intention is to twist that lock nut off half a turn to get the outer tie rod end off, then upon reinstalling I crank it back down to take up that half turn. The new ones come with a new lock nut, but I just can't imagine that nut living so hard a life that it needs to be replaced.
The replacement ends are same brand, model, etc. so differences in the outer tie rod end length itself should be very minimal. Does this sound like an okay approach or should I use some other method? Again this is just to make the car driveable for a few miles to get to the alignment shop. I'm replacing struts and control arms, so an alignment can't be avoided even if I set the tie rod ends perfect.
The replacement ends are same brand, model, etc. so differences in the outer tie rod end length itself should be very minimal. Does this sound like an okay approach or should I use some other method? Again this is just to make the car driveable for a few miles to get to the alignment shop. I'm replacing struts and control arms, so an alignment can't be avoided even if I set the tie rod ends perfect.