im a bit stuck trying to trmove my steering rack...I'm not sur ehow to disconnect the tie rod end from where is mounts into the bakc of the wheel hub...is it one of those grab a hammer and pount the stud down kinda things..or will that break it?
thnx for any help

 

yar...well i found in my FSM that im supposed to use a puller to remove this...is there any other way that would be safe? such aas a hammer

 

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...oint+Separator

Use the right tool for the right job. Hammering on the bolt will mess the threads up and it will be more of a pain down the road.

Brian

 

the joint separator never works.

tie rods are stuck in there GOOD.

you need to hammer the part of the spindle/knuckle that the tie rod is connected to. the impact loosens it up on the inside. afterwards, you can pop it out by hammering the top of the tie rod (LIGHTLY!), or apply the joint separator.

no it doesn't mess up the threads. it only messes up the threads if you go AWOL on it and flatten the tip into a mushroom. don't do this if you want to reuse the tie rod end. if you tapped the knuckle right, the tie rod should pop right out with one hit.

sometimes it just doesn't work. i had joint separator, big ******* hammer, and propane torch and the tie rod end still wouldn't pop out. i had to take the knuckle off the car and go to a shop. he fired it up with an acetylene torch and banged on it for a while. he went at it with hammer and fork as well. after 20 minutes, it finally popped out... it was still on fire.

 

if you do use a hammer try to use a brass hammer or some other soft metal head.

 

thanks for the imput guys...fortuantely my land lord had a puller...and after an hour of me having no success with it he showed me how to use it..of course he brought with him a different set of claws that actuall fit under the lip .....he loves to make me learn the hard way

 

the 2-jaw puller i got for the job wont hook on. I think im just going to take it off with the knuckle as well and take it to a mechanic. this is pissing me off.

 

it also helps if you spray anti rust stuff on it (crc) that makes a difference.

 

take the nut off and thread it on upside down so its flush with the top of the tie rod threads u can hammer on that it will break it free and not damage the threads or the castle nut.