So currently 3 things are seized.  My ball joint to the steering knuckle, the knuckle to the tie rod ball joint, and the tie rod itself to the steering rack. Strut assy is off the car currently since I replaced the strut and springs, and I was planning on replacing the ball joint and the tie rod as well.

If i can remove the tie rod from the steering rack then I could work on the two ball joints off the car.  But the locking nut and outer tie rod are really stuck.  And yes, I am aware that the threading on the drivers side is reversed.

I have applied liberal amounts of penetrating fluid, but no heat yet as I do not have an acetylene torch, only a homedepot benzomatic special (maybe that will still be effective?) Any tricks to break these loose?  

The inner tie rod "flat" is 13mm and I can brace it against the frame, but still can't get the stuff to budge.  I may reinstall the strut just to provide something to torque against that is more fixed

 

In other news, are the poly steering rack bushings going to add a significant amount of NVH (noise/vibration/harshness) vs the original rubber (that is expensive or hard to find)  If all else fails I will take the rack out of the car and work on it on the bench and at that point replace the bushings.

 

Thanks all

Edited August 22, 20168 yr by DaveR

Found some threads in other sections that I hadn't come across before. Most of them talk about adding some heat (while being wary of melting the boot) and using a larger adjustable wrench. I think the latter will be my ticket, so I will give that a shot.

Still curious about the steering rack bushings.

If you have a good fitting open end wrench get a short section of pipe that fits over the other end of the wrench to increase your leverage

there was some talk about freezoff? (sp) does the same as heat, but with cold