Removing tie rod ends for swap question

[Safety Guy]

When I did the suspension swap on Muttstiva a few years back, I couldn't get the tie rod ends loose to remove them. The guys I hired to get my control arms off loosened them for me.

Mutt was rusty and older. Luxstiva is pretty nice, but has almost 200k miles now.

How many of you have had problems getting your Festiva tie rod ends off? Are there any special tricks to doing this? Special tools? I only have MAPP gas and propane for "heating."

If this is going to be a problem, I'll just head for a shop and have them loosen them for me prior to starting.

Thanks,

Karl

[89fester]

Are you talking about the outer tie-rods? And do you mean getting the tie-rod end out of the steering knuckle? or loosening the jam nut.

The best backyard mechanic way I have used a few times is to loosen the nut and smack the steering arm on the side a few times with a BFH. It will usually pop out. The not as good method I usually use, is I take the nut off and flip it over to protect the threads and hit it from the top with a hammer. If I don't care about the boot I use a pickle fork.

89 L

[sharkbait_30]

Hi guys, i saw a festiva on a mod site, not sure what wheel size he used, looks like 15', 50 series. any idea if that would fit or how to do it???

[Safety Guy]

My fault!

I meant loosening the jam nut to take the tie rod end off the tie rod itself.

I can usually get the knuckles off without any problems.

Thanks,

Karl

[Perle]

I myself am midway into my assfire brake swap.

The rear end is done but I to cant get these freaking tie rod ends to turn.

Gonna try some penatrating oil....then, I guess heating them might help.

[Safety Guy]

Yep, that's what I was talking about!

I'm thinking I'll take it to a shop to get them loosened so I don't waste time on it.

Karl

[Safety Guy]

I may put my front end up tomorrow morning, take the tyres off and see if I can't loosen the tie rods myself. Perhaps the trick is to make like I'm going to do an alignment and not take the rod ends off the knuckle first. That should give me the requisite support to put a big wrench on the tie rod square sections and loosen them from the ends.

After some PB Blaster, that is. Maybe I'll use some MAPP gas; maybe I won't. I got it; may as well use it, eh?

If I can't do it within a reasonable amount of time, off to the shop I go.

Karl

[ericsmith32]

When I worked on my dads I put a pair of clamp-ons on the rod itself and let the clamp-ons support themselves on the lower control arm. I put a deep socket on the nut and put a 6ft cheater bar on the rachet. Even though I use alot of pb blaster it still screamed like a banshee, but didn't tear up the threads. Probably if you had a impact and deep sockets it would be the way to go.

[Silv3rBull3t]

If you are trying to get the outer tie rod off the inner, I would suggest loosening it up before removing it from the Hub itself then remove it from the hub then take the Outer off... -Kyle

[Perle]

The jam nut or lock nut turns fine.


I cant get the tie rod end to turn.

I am soaking them both in foaming penetrating oil overnight, hoping for some results tommorrow.

[89fester]

You guys jinxed me. I replaced my right LCA including the sway bar end bushings on Sunday, now my car is pulling hard to the right. Assuming its just a tow setting, but now I have to try and get the tie-rod loose. Which means its not going to cooperate. I might as well replace the left LCA and be done with it. Time to start the daily spraying of PB Blaster.

I waited 3 months for those EBAY deals on LCAs to show up again. I finally bought one from NAPA and 2 weeks later everyone started listing them again for basically 2 for 1 prices. SONOFA.

89 L

[Safety Guy]

That's the way it goes, eh?

I got my left tie rod loose today. I'm putting my swap back till Saturday morning for warmer weather. My Dad would prefer that too.

I have to find my two Escort tie rod ends. Where did I put them?

Karl

[the_big_1.3]

good pen

the best thing i have ever used is a mixture of diesel fuel and trani fluid mix the 2 and let soak for a while works every time for me o ya u should never heat any thing that is heat treated because it removes the temper that inclused thigs like tie rid ends sway bars cast control arms stamped steel ones are ok to heat

[FB71]

that depends on how hot you get it. Heat treated steels are safe up to 250-275 degrees. I agree, if you're getting them cherry red (500 deg+), you're killing the temper in the part. If your concerned about temp, go to a welding supply store and buy a Temple stick. Its a crayon-like marker made of high clay content wax that melts at a specified temp. get one for the 250-300 degree range. Mark the part with it, and as long as the mark doesn't melt, you're good.

[Perle]

These had been sprayed every day for a week with penetrating oil.
No luck.

I put a torch to the tie rod ends, about a minute or 2 worth of heat.

They came right off.