Outer tie rod removal

[Cani Lupine]

I'm working on pulling the hub from the car so I can replace the wheel bearings, but I'm stuck at removing the outer tie rod end. That thing just WILL NOT BUDGE, and I don't want to break it because it's still firm. I already made the boot come a bit loose with a remover fork, but it's just not wanting to come out. Tried hitting it on the side with a hammer, did nothing.

Any ideas?

[georgeb]

Kind of cheesy but you can loosen the adjustment nut and unscrew the tie rod from it. 12mm rt hand threads.

[Cani Lupine]

I was trying to avoid messing with the adjustment nut to keep the alignment in place.

BUT!

I finally got it off. Went to AutoZone and rented a Pitman Arm Puller, and it came off super easy. It's a press-type tool. Should have gotten it the first time, but I didn't know about it until I started looking up how-tos.

[getnpsi]

I read that it can be tapped with hammer in the right spot. If someone with a wehell off their car can kindly take a picture and circle this area in psintbrush that will help the "lights on" guys. I have seen this issue brought up twice this month. A pulled works but thoseforks and other tools can cause damage too

[Cani Lupine]

Here's the video I took after I got the hub out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP8zPGP_t1Y

[georgeb]

The ball joint pinch bolt looks incorrect. Should not be loose in bore. Also, who has been/will be doing the bearing job?

[drddan]

5000 miles out of the bearings!? Whoever did the bearings did not do them right!
On top of that, whoever did the bearings may have switched the preload shims, and why you are having to get new bearings now!
That is a no-no!!! The shims are specific to each hub and cannot be switched!

There are write-ups about the shims/hubs here. Find them and learn about the hub/bearing/shim set-up.

[Cani Lupine]

The bearings were cheap Valucraft ones. The other side has Timken bearings, and the local tire shop did the installation with new Timken bearings and seals.

[drddan]

Well, that could be the problem. ALWAYS use Timken!

Aint much of a value, if you have to change them again after 5000 miles.

[scitzz]

The bearings were cheap Valucraft ones. The other side has Timken bearings, and the local tire shop did the installation with new Timken bearings and seals.

There have been a lot of horror stories about having the bearings done at shops. Most have no idea about the spacing shims, and will throw them away.

[Bert]

Dealing with front wheel bearings has to be the Achilles tendon, and/or become rite of passage, for DIYs that 'buy into' the humble prestige of actually owning a Ford Festiva. Done right they last the life a car, but done improperly they cause all manner of inconvenience on a regular basis.

There are specific presses for 'popping' tie rod ends and this saves wrecking the boots from having to use a 'pickle fork' to do the same thing. But from what I can see most of us are impatient though and seem to think new tie rods are in order anyway. Along with better wheels, bigger motor and upgrade suspension and brakes!

[TominMO]

I read that it can be tapped with hammer in the right spot. If someone with a wehell off their car can kindly take a picture and circle this area in psintbrush that will help the "lights on" guys. I have seen this issue brought up twice this month. A pulled works but thoseforks and other tools can cause damage too

The right spot to tap it is a raised ridge. It's obvious what I mean, when you look at it. Works every time for me.

[sickfleming]

I had to do this when replacing my axle seal, and it is infuriating if you dont have a trick up your sleeve. I always ran a big, sturdy flathead screwdriver over the top of a jackstand nearly the same height (on passenger side, placed left of the tie rod end), and underneath the tie rod where the tie rod end screws to the inner tie rod. I use a jackstand because the steering knuckle is not long enough to set anything on top of it without hitting the rotor. Apply a constant downward pressure on the screwdriver, and give that steering knuckle a good ol whack. It's stunning how it just jumps out of there.

[sickfleming]

Assuming you have the steering wheel turned all the way to the left already of course

[scitzz]

When Arty and I do the bearing video this year, we really need to cover this as well....