hey all. my question is this : how difficult is it to seperate the tigh rod end(s) thats the outer tigh rod end(s). and will i need to use a pickelle fork ? and i don't mean a tunnel hull boat either.

 

i had both inner and outer tie rod ends on the driver and passenger side replaced at the same time i got my allignment done...the guy was nice enough to do it for me at no extra cost since he was gonna be under there already...

i know it doesn't help but maybe your mechanic who is going to do the allignment can put them in for you...

good luck...you'll like it after...tightens up the steering and feels much better

 

Yea, you probably need a pickle fork, those rod ends can be a real PITA to separate.

 

I removed mine without any problems. Original 22 year old tie rods too. I did use a pickle fork. Real easy!
Chris

 

i don't have a fork and the alignment guy does only alignments. oh well. so i need to buy or rent a fork. i just bought 4 new B.F. goodrich radial TA's 205/60/15's and with such a large tire any 'play' can be felt. i also had to 'roll' the wheel well fender lips .

 

when i worked for dodge i never used a damn pickel fork. i did alignments and front end work all the time. i just used the open end of wrenches and a damn pipe wrench.

 

Just replaced one on my Audi. The fork I bought didn't work too well, I pounded on it for two days with a hammer with no results. I finall bought a "pitman arm puller" and with that I had it off in about three minutes. They make a smaller version which is identical, but called a tie rod puller. Basically its a c shaped clamp with a bolt through the middle that pushes up on the through-bolt on the tie rod. I picked up the pitman version just because it was bigger/beefier and only 5 bucks more (15 total @ Autozone). I would recommend this type of tool over the fork type any day. Good luck!

 

Yeah, use clamps that Kentetsu is talking about. But ask your local autozone redshirts if they have one you can rent for free.

The forks work fine, though. Probably faster too.

 

Speaking from experience, if you hit the eylet where the tie rod end goes in after you take the nut off with a BFH, the tie rod end just pops out. A few hits, and your done. Just don't try to kill it, it'll take a good whack, but don't hit it with a sledgehammer. Just a large hammer will do.