Tie rod end separator?

[Langdon]

I need to take off the tie rod end...without FUBARing it, hopefully :cool: . What works best, a 'pickle fork' or screw type tool? No air tools here :( ...
Thanks,

[Bob Barry]

Don't worry; you won't have space to use air-tools on this job if the axle is still in the truck.

I used a cheap Autozone tie-rod puller to do one end of the tie-rod, and a pitman-arm puller to do the other where the tie-rod joins the drag-link (the rod is too wide for the tie-rod puller).

In using them, however, I basically put tension on the tapered end of the joint, then hit the side of the rod it went into to jar it loose. Unless you have air-tools and a straight-shot, I don't think those tools will remove a fitting on their own.

You could beat them apart with a pickle-fork as well. That won't usually ruin the joint, but will usually screw up the rubber joint cover.

[RustyJeep]

Here's how we do them at work: Take the tire off, so you odbviously have it on a jackstand, and take the nut off. Then grab yourself a good 2 lb sledge, or a good dead blow hammer, like a Snap-On NoBounce(that's what I use). Give some real stout whacks to the steering knuckle right around where the tie-rod goes in...usually right on the front end(front meaning toward the front of truck) When I say real stout, I mean STOUT. This usually gives the steel enough vibrating effect that is pops right up. If that doesn't work, grab yourself a second hammer of close to the same size, and whack each side of the steering arm/knuckle at the exact same time. This works 99% of the time for me, and it is how I did mine in my driveway. Forgive my longwindedness.

[ March 13, 2002: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]

[ March 13, 2002: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]</p>

[Langdon]

Thanks for the tips, gents. Bob is the puller you're talking about a see-saw type thing? That's the only other tool I've seen besides the fork.

I'm working on the long end ($$ if I bust it); so far I've tried moderate pounding on the stud and lifting the rod with a jack (it just lifted the tire). So that sucka' is in there. Tomorrow I'll remove the brake shield and try to get the Pitman arm puller on there. Or maybe a C-clamp? Might have to break out the BFHs, tho' :D :D

[ March 13, 2002: Message edited by: Langdon ]</p>

[oldyellowwagoneer]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Langdon:
I've tried moderate pounding on the stud and lifting the rod with a jack<hr></blockquote> Do not pound on the stud. the slightest mushrooming of the threads wil not allow the nut to spin on there and its very important to have it go on without trying to spin the whole ball joint.The only way to remove these without damage is to use a prybar to pry up the tie-rod and hit the steering knuckle on the side with a hammer.I've been doing this for years when I was a mechanic. DENNIS

[RustyJeep]

Aye, Dennis...I forgot about using a prybar at the same time...I usually can get away withou it, but sometimes it helps.

[Bob Barry]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Langdon:
Thanks for the tips, gents. Bob is the puller you're talking about a see-saw type thing? That's the only other tool I've seen besides the fork. <hr></blockquote>

No, it's got two fixed jaws with a big screw in the middle, like a small pitman-arm puller.

[la mula pescadora]

you can always screw the nut a couple of turns so u whon't damage the tread

[frozen]

I was working on my tie rod once and I was pounding down on it like a madman. My grandpa (mechanic for like 3000 years) told me to wack it on the side (front). Not down on it but parallel to the ground. Being the impertinant youth that I was (am) I thought that he had been playing with the carb cleaner too much again :D but I did what he said and the tie rod dropped after the 3rd hit. I don't think you can break it doing it that way.

Moral of the story, what the dennis and rustyjeep said should do the trick.

Good luck.

PS. I am having some minor mechanical problems. If whoever is reading this can help please check my thread titled Send the grease monkies...please (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=008968)

Thanks

-pete

[rigger]

i use the fork and a jack under the tierod so as not to bend it .but you can also hammer it out make sure the nut is on so it is just pst the threaded end . there will be lots off threads on the pin and give it some real good persuation with a 2 pd sledge. i do it all the time never hurt the threads rounded the nut end good though .when it pops just take the nut off.