Alignment tie rod device and method of utilization

An alignment tie rod device comprising:

• a shaft extending along a centerline;
• a first structure including opposing first and second rims and a base portion spanning between the first and second rims with the base portion and the rims defining a channel in the first structure extending normal to the centerline, wherein a hole in the base portion communicates with the channel and is spaced from and centered between the first and second rims for receipt of the shaft, and the rims are spaced apart by a rim distance;
• and
• an anti-rotation feature rigidly engaged to the shaft and projecting radially outward in diametrically opposed directions, the anti-rotation feature having diametrically opposite arcuate first and second edges each having a radius of curvature and a longitudinally extending chamfer, and wherein a ratio of the rim distance over the radius of curvature is equal to or less than 0.28,
• wherein the first and second edges are joined to one another by third and fourth edges, wherein the third and fourth edges extend in a radial direction relative to the centerline,
• wherein a first flanking location of the first edge contacts the first rim and a second flanking location of the second edge contacts the second rim when the anti-rotation feature is rotated about the centerline from a disengaged state to an engaged state,
• wherein the first flanking location is laterally offset from the third edge relative to the centerline, and
• wherein the second flanking location is laterally offset from the fourth edge relative to the centerline and the anti-rotation feature has an axial width that is less than an axial depth of the channel to facilitate rotational movement of the anti-rotational feature from the disengaged state to the engaged state.