Taking a lunch break right now...having some trouble removing the tie rod end that connects to the steering knuckle / spindle. Gave Travis a call at Rennbay and suggested threading the nut on loosely and pounding it with a hammer. Gave it a shot and upgraded to the BFH technique (sledge hammer) but still unable to work it loose, the hammer technique didnt even make it budge. Id use a gear puller, but cannot get the rotors and dust shields off because the set screws are seized. Next step seems to be use a pickle fork.. Any other ideas before i go about destroying the tie rod end boots.. .

 

What are you hitting with a hammer?

Rapping the side of the steering knuckle with a two pound hammer has always worked for me. You sometimes have to do it several times before it "pops" the tie rod end loose, especially if it is rusted. Pounding on the end of the nut will only frustrate you.

 

Check fire and hold your position! Translation, stop beating your car with a hammer...

Go rent or borow a pittman arm puller/tie rod end puller before you damage something. It slides on the steering knuckle and you ratchet on top of the threaded area and it pops out.

What's going to be more fun is tightening the nut down on the replacement...

 

Pickle fork, plus grease and a sledge hammer made short work of it...talk about having the right tools for the job. The boots on the tie rod still look good, grease may have saved them. Probably will change them in a few weeks for good measure. Celebrating now by eating pickles ....if only i could get this damn jar open....

 

I was going to suggest a pickle fork but it looks like you got it.

When I did them the first time I beat the hell out of it and finally I decided that just wasnt going to work, I sort of dropped the hammer near the thing out of digust and BAM it popped right out, I was PISSSSSSED.
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Yeah but you can also separate the end from the joint that way, no?

 

Not if you are using the tool correctly, you would have be a moron to do that or have a bad control arm...or both
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Bwah... LOL

 

If you are replacing the tie rod ends, a propane torch and about 50 seconds heating will allow it to pop off with a light hammer blow. If you are keeping the ends, you need to figure out to get your rotors and shield off. Three 10mm bolts shouldn't give you that much trouble. Then there is a puller that fits properly with the shield in place which is about 25 bux.
Good luck.

Dean Felton
Houston, TX.