I'm currently in the process of fitting new shocks, suspension tie rod ends, knife edges etc.

I've cleaned up the threads and copper greased everything and now the rods turn nice and easily so adjusting the suspension heights should be a piece of cake.

My question is:

When I've adjusted the suspension heights by turning the rods, what stops them adjusting themselves afterwards?

As I say, the rods now turn very freely so why should the stay at the correct height rather than turning themselves as the suspension is doing its stuff?

Should there be lock nuts fitted to the tie bar to tighten up to the tie bar end to stop them turning?

I believe some cars were supplied with lock nuts as you suggest.

All of those very late cars which had lock nuts supplied with the canisters ended up with 2 lock nuts on each rear tie rod.
'Neither use nor ornament', as the saying goes...

It's very common to see the pairs of lock nuts left on rear tie rods even after a chassis has been changed, but that doesn't happen with any I do, as they're kept for 2CV racers or Raid cars where they might actually be of some use.

Lenny,
The tension from the weight of the car that the tie rod is under when the car is sitting on its wheels along with the fine-ness of the thread means that they don't get the chance to unscrew themselves unless under severe provocation (See Ken's Raid / Race car comment above).
Chris

Just finished it. Set the heights and resisted adding lock-nuts.
Cheers for the advice all.

Went for a bit of a drive today. Blimey I can't believe the difference.
I don't know if it's the new shox or the fact that the suspension is now up to the correct height but the ride is superb. The whole car feels so much better. If anybody is on the fence about bunging new shox on then I'd say go for it.
Shocking indeed.

yup i bought a new set of boge when getting the car set for africa it is by far the best £100 you can spend on a tired car ( assuming everything else is also up to it)

I now have started stock piling NOS shocks

Sean