How do you separate the tie rod end from the spindle?
 

This might be kind of a stupid question, but I just don't know what to do with that bolt with the wire stuck into it, and I'm not sure how to get it out lol. Thanks in advance.

If the cotter pin is stuck in the tie rod bolt you can get a pick and try to hit it from one side.
If you have a fork put it between the spindle and tie rod end and hammer away.
Or you can hammer the part of the spindle where the tie rod is connected, just make sure you dont hit the thread of the tie rod. Also make sure its a heavy hammer.

Yeah, I guess my real concern is with removing the cotter pin. Like, if I bang it out, how am I supposed to put it back in?

That tie rod end is tapered. And of course the bore it fits in is also tapered. There is a tool called a pickle fork to remove these and also a tool that presses them out. See the suspension section of the FSM for what it looks at.

Go to any auto store and tell 'em your removing the tie rod ends and need to buy/rent the tool to remove them. They'll know what your wanting.

Google for tie rod removal tools or Pickle Forks etc .

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=7692

Ok..this is What is Do..get a Impact gun..cut the Cotter pins a best you can,close to the Nut,so that it will allow you to put a socket on the Nut..Spin the Nut off with the impact gun..Now,Where the Tie rod goes through the spindle.HIT IT..with a Hammer on the Outside Rounded part.Like hitting a donut on a stick,picture itm,you'll get my Drift)..the Tie rod will POP loose a bit and then you can just pull it off..The cotter pin on the Tie rod,can be Removed from the Threaded Portion of the Tie rod,by using a center punch and a pair of pliers...or use a small drill bit,it will drill the pin out and the rest falls out)...OR get a pickle Fork!./.heh.

Hmm...okay. That helps a lot guys. But with the cotter pin - could I just replace that whole deal with a regular nut, and use that to hold the tie rod end to the spindle? I don't really understand why a cotter pin was used instead of a regular nut...

There's supposed to be a castelated (sp) nut with a cotter key there. NOT just a cotter key. Or, eeeeek, a piece of wire.

All kinds of cars use cotter pins as a precaution after the nut so it won't completly fall off causing the tie rod to disconnect. Just straighten the ends with needle nose pliers and pull out the other end.

Is there a tool I need to replace the cotter pin after I bash out the old one?

most vehicles require a new cotter pin after the old one is removed. if you go to a parts store, they may just give you one, or charge you 2 cents. when you're re-installing the tie rod, you put it back in to the tapered hole, crank the nut down until it's tight, then tighten it slightly until the cotterpin hole lines up with a hole in the castellated nut, put the cotter pin through, then bend it around to keep it in place.

yea if your not sure about removing and replacing a cotter pin im not sure you should be working on much else on your car
Like the above post you just unbend it and pull it out with pliers and then install is the reverse
just make sure when you install the holes line up with the notches in the top of the nut

hit it on the side of the knuckle with a big hammer, u dont need a pickle fork or anything special..., just dont hit it on the top of the thread, it wont come out

and dont loosen it to put the new cotter pin in make sure you tighten or even better take it to a shop or a friend that knows more:wallbash:

if you're putting new tie-rod ends on , don't worry too much about getting the cotter pin out. just cut it close enough to fix socket over the nut.

kick its ass after you got the nut off. if you start swinging , just don't miss and hit something you don't want to. fork tool safer , but everyones got hammers so kick its ass.

if reusing the tie-rod end for obvious reasons just to take off spindle etc, just tighten the nut back on and don't worry too much about the left over cotter pin still in the threads. I've left millions in , BUT I do use a chisel afterwards and mess up the threads to lock it further on. or you can double nut them to have them lock one another.

never had a problem with them that way if i have to reuse.

otherwise , take it to the shop and they'll do it the right way. (most shops)

LD

Pickle forks are cheap. Just pick one up to help you, and it will also come hand in the future.

I just beat my tie rod ends out with a hammer.

Just thought I'd add that pickle forks are great if you aren't going to use the part again, but they will cut the boot and damage the joint as pressure is applied into the unit.

If the tie rod end is to be reused, turn the wheel so that the tie rod end is more accessible, naturally remove the cotter pin the back off the nut about 1/2". Put a bar e.g. crow bar over the steering rack next to the tie rod and under the lower control arm. Push hard on the end of the bar while you hit the side of the spindle and it will come. Joint and boot saved.