Drilling out steering rack pins?

[Safety Guy]

Today I tried to drill out the inner tie rod pins with a Craftsman cobalt 1/8" drill bit. It didn't "bite" into the roll pin at all, then after a few seconds, it slipped out.

Do I try using a smaller diameter bit? Maybe 1/16", to get more "into" the inside of the roll pin?

Or should I try a "screw out" bit?

Anyone ever do this?

Thanks,

Karl

[Festy46]

If you're trying to remove the inner tie rods, just unscrew it from the rack. As soon as you start to unscrew it, the threads on the tie rod will push the roll pin up. You don't need to try to remove the pin by drilling it out.

[Safety Guy]

Cool!

Karl

[Safety Guy]

Just got both of them a few minutes ago.

The roll pin is only about 1/8" long! Weird. It did come up out of its hole as I loosened the inner tie rod with a 12" Crescent wrench. I used a pair of electrical pliers to snatch it out of the hole. I haven't been able to get the other pin out yet, though I've used the pliers and a little dental hook tool to try. I may have to use a punch and push it out into the tie rod hole area to remove it completely.

Thanks,

Karl

[Festy46]

I never take them out all the way when I change inner tie rods. I unscrew the old tie rod, screw the new one in and then tap the roll pin back down in the hole.

[TominMO]

If you get it all the way out, consider using a stainless steel screw with nylock nut to replace it.

[scitzz]

Also heard at FM4 that a 10/32 (I think) drill and tap job will let you thread in a small bolt, making future repair a snap...