Color Coded Lock Nuts Tie Rod Sleeve Clamps

Recently I cleaned up a set of 1970 tie rod sleeve assemblies.
When I got everything wiped down and laid out I noticed something.
On each sleeve one clamp lock nut had a red dot in the square and the other had a white dot.
I have attached a couple of pictures so you see what I'm talking about.
Since each sleeve had one red and one white I'm wondering if it's
a left / right thing or an inner and outer thing.
Any one with some info on this please reply.
Thanks! MJ

I think it is more likely that that is the left over paint that was swabbed on there after the nut was tightened.

if you look real close at the internal threads, are there traces of the color[s] there ?
if so, that is a type of lock nut that uses nylon "pins" to ensure the nuts do not loosen up after tightening.
i have seen those type of nuts used in many applications over the years.
the "pins" come in any number of colors.

Morty426,
It does not look like left over paint swabbing.
The red and white dots are perfectly round.
MJ

As Eric alluded to, they are Nylocks.

Tan & Red, note that the colors go all the way through & the T & R for Red & tan is stamped on each nut.

The nuts are all RH thread, but the Red ones were found on the clamp with the RH thread end for the tie rod sleeve & Tan for the LH threaded end of the sleeve;

Barry,
Thanks for the reply with pictures and explanation!
I have gone out and checked the lock nuts.
Just like you say the nut with the red dot has an "R" stamped into it and
the nut with the tan dot has a "T" stamped into it.
MJ

Well, I learned something today. Good info.
I dont remember any kind of nylon insert on any Ive ever taken apart

I've had some ( long gone now ) NOS tie rod sleeve and tie rod assys before and I dont remember this detail on them

This fastener attribute is designated "P" type for nylon pellet. My car had P-nuts for gas tank straps and carrier to axle housing. There are also P-bolts: water pump, fuel pump, timing cover, and A/C compressor clutch to crankshaft.

thanks for the clarification Barry.

Barry,
Can we assume this was an easy way for the assembly line workers to know which end attached to the knuckle? Makes sense I suppose
Know

I am not one to assume, I know what that does......

I have three other cars here that have not been apart yet, 1970 models from other plants, including an A, C & another B body.

I want to check them also just for fun.

For the people here with original cars of other years / types that have not been apart before, it would also be cool to see what they find.

John's car is a 1970 B-body from Lynch Road.

The photos I inserted above are from a 1970 B-body from St. Louis.

I just checked my 1970 Valiant from Hamtramck & it is the same.

Barry,
Would you mind looking and let us know which end is what color? Thanks!!

I did that in my first post in this thread. ;-)

Omg im stupid today-been running part numbers through the book all day and feel numb!

No worries.

I did some more digging also, I did not see any color call outs for the nuts in the 1970 FSM or in my 1970-71 parts book.

Recently I was able to buy an NOS outer tie rod end with the hardware kit.
Inside was a lock nut with the RED dot and the "R" on the other side.
Wish I could find another NOS red one and 2 NOS tan ones now!

But I have come across another question on the tie rod end boots.
If you look at my 2 attached pictures of the NOS tie rod ends the one on the left has the assembly line type grease fitting.
That would be the narrow neck section where they would be broken off.
But the boot on this one doesn't look like the one on the right?
The one on the right has the 2835896 part number molded into it like most I've seen.
Does any one know if the one on the left is an assembly line part and that's why it's different?
Thanks!

I've had many NOS tie rods over the years,and I would say the one on the left is an aftermarket tie rod.I am just going by the stud style.Plus if the boot doesn't have a part number.

The tie rod on the left is NOT an aftermarket part!
First off it came in a original Mopar box with the hardware kit and has the assembly line grease fitting.
I have added another picture here that shows the Mopar 207 2434 casting number.
So if any one has more information on the boot or the tie rod end itself please come forward!
Thanks! MJ

over the years, i have found ma mopar had many suppliers for items, so just because a tie rod end [this example] appears different than another while coming from identical boxes, does not mean the parts are not genuine mopar parts.
and while i was not "on the line back then", i'm almost positive assembly line parts were at times, from different suppliers as well. two parts could be visually different from each other grabbed from the same bin at the same time, and installed on the vehicle in question.
i base this on my machinist/supervisory career of 42+ years, as i saw this daily, depending upon the vendor.

Great Information....I didn't know why all mine didn't have the Red insert...now I know. looks like I'll have to get the magnifier glass out and look for Letters on them.

I just disassembled a front end from a 70 Coronet. Both red nuts on the passenger side. Both tan nuts on the driver side. Left hand joints on the inner, and right hand on the outer. Wouldn't make more sense to just have the assembly man put a paint dab on the left hand side. He still had to check which was which in assembly. Lot easier that sourcing different nut inserts and having assembly line look for a small colored insert, vice a nice blotch of paint.