Well, I'm fucked

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
05/22/2015 at 20:16 • Filed to: None

Can’t get the tie rod end out. Have tried 2 styles of tools from autozone and it won’t come out. There’s another style I can try that I think I can buy at Harbor Freight, but I’m so flustered and pissed off I can’t even look at it. Of course now the bolt is completely fucked so I can’t even get the nut back on it to be able to drive the car to a shop if I can't get the damn thing off.

DISCUSSION (16)

Bird > Jayhawk Jake
05/22/2015 at 20:23

Two tips:

For next time...leave the nut on but loose while trying to unseat the balljoint. That way you don’t destroy the threads.

For this time...Pitman Arm Puller. You can find them in several sizes, but I’ve always had the best luck with these.

Kinja'd!!!

Jayhawk Jake > Bird
05/22/2015 at 20:26

I used that one, it just slipped off the bolt, which is also what jacked up the threads.

I currently have just the fork style you whack with a hammer. I don't have a heavy sledge though, so it's not working. That's one of the next things I'll try. The other think to try is an alligator style ball joint separator. Hopefully it'll be less likely to slide off the bolt

RallyWrench > Jayhawk Jake
05/22/2015 at 20:28

Outer end? Have you tried giving a good whack to the knuckle, then up (or down) on the tie rod? Quicky paint:

Kinja'd!!!

Bird > Jayhawk Jake
05/22/2015 at 20:29

It can help to leave the bolt on when using the pitman puller. It helps it center...

Maybe see if you can find a different size? Did it slip where the screw contacts the shaft of the ball joint, or at where the fork meets the steering arm? If it’s slipping where the forks meet the steering arm, you might be able to heat up the pitman arm puller with a torch, and bend the forks closer together with a few hammer whacks. I’ve had to do that before as well.

Birddog > RallyWrench
05/22/2015 at 20:30

For a quicky that’s pretty spot on.

RallyWrench > Birddog
05/22/2015 at 20:31

I may have done it a lot ;)

FastIndy > Jayhawk Jake
05/22/2015 at 20:37

Take 30-45 minutes, go relax in a chair, and all shall be solved, just...later. One thing that has worked for me is using a Pitman arm puller (as you’ve mentioned) in conjunction with an impact socket large enough to start onto the tie rod end. Of course it will jack up the threads, but that’s not a concern anymore. This does warrant a little more caution as the sockets can frag also, but if it doesn’t it’s usually enough to keep the puller from slipping off.