Tie rod end removal?

[Safety Guy]

Are there any tools specifically made to make removing an old tie rod end easier?

I always have problems removing stock Festiva tie rod ends, and I had the same problem trying to remove a Kia Rio tie rod end so I could swipe the knuckle assembly.

Karl

[wybnrml]

There is a puller you can get that separates the tie-rod end from the knuckle.

[wybnrml]

Or are you talking about just removing the tie-rod ends from the tie-rod itself. If thats the case just try some PB Buster and then two wrenchs to loosen the jam nut.

[91blufestiva]

I had this problem with the blue car... I had tons of pb blaster on the jam nut and the tie rod end. Put two wrenches on there, had a pipe on the bottom one, rounded the jam nut. then put a vicescrip on the jam nut, and still wouldn't budge. I ended up welding the pivot ball to the tie rod assembly, and putting a pipe on the end of the tie rod, and then turning it.. (the nut for the tie rod rounded as well)

[Safety Guy]

Yep, I'm talking about the tie rod end and jam nut point.

I'll see about getting an extra long flare nut wrench for the jam nut and a huge crescent wrench for the tie rod end. After using lots of PB Blaster, of course.

If there were a special tool that would be nice, though.

Karl

[lessersivad]

You may have to use a LITTLE heat such as from a brazing tip. That's what the shop that has done my alignments used. Not getting the nut or end cherry red but just heated them with the brazing tip.

[Safety Guy]

I take it brazing tips go with full power torches?

All I have is a propone torch.

Karl

[Dave G]

A propane torch will work.

[Safety Guy]

Ah, then I will have to try my propane torch! At home, anyway. The PnP doesn't allow them I don't think.

Karl

[Pu241]

Ah, then I will have to try my propane torch! At home, anyway. The PnP doesn't allow them I don't think.

Karl

Uh, Karl, you are just trying to get the hub free from the car?
You don't really want to reuse a tie rod end.
If that is the case, why not just pop the end attached to the hub free.
A little PB, back the castellated nut off till level with the treaded section, put a piece of wood or metal on the nut, give it a good whack with a hammer generally pops them off the hub.

[Safety Guy]

Yep, but my little junkyard hammer didn't do the trick. I also tried a loose brake drum and it didn't work either. Those things get stuck, don't they?

I have one "fork" for either ball joints or tie rod ends, but I didn't have that with me. I could take my big 3# hand sledge, I suppose.

Need...more...mass...for more IMPACT! (Or wedgie leverage.)

(No, I wouldn't likely reuse a tie rod end.)

However, on Twinstiva, I'll need to get the tie rod end off the car for the new one to fit Aspire knuckles. That WILL require loosening the "tie rod end/jam nut interface."

With Luxstiva, I took her to a shop that I was getting my alignment at and had them simply get that area loose for me before I started.

Karl

[JohnGunn]

I'll see about getting an extra long flare nut wrench for the jam nut and a huge crescent wrench for the tie rod end. After using lots of PB Blaster, of course.

I think your chances of success would be greatly enhanced by thoroughly cleaning the area with a wire brush and then spraying with PB Blaster a couple of times a day for three or four days.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[Safety Guy]

John Gunn wrote:

"I think your chances of success would be greatly enhanced by thoroughly cleaning the area with a wire brush and then spraying with PB Blaster a couple of times a day for three or four days."

You mean like, "deferred gratification?"

Ah, maybe it's time for some fifteen foot long bolt cutters! :p

Karl

[JohnGunn]

You mean like, "deferred gratification?"

Some things are worth waiting for. But, mainly, for me it's a matter of letting my mind do the heavy lifting.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[jriederer]

^x2 on the heat. Applying heat to a nut (or in this case tie rod end) makes it expand ever so slightly, making it easier to overcome the rust or whatever is making it stick.