Tie Rod Ends - Won't come apart!

[baddriver]

Anybody have an Idea how I can get the tie-rod ends apart?

The outer tie-rods on my car were a little loose, the shop wanted $200 to replace them, now I know it would have been worth it.

The outer end, the one with a castellated nut, is frozen (rusted) in place. It is firmly attached to the steering knuckle. I have cut the castellated nut off, and tried to hammer the bolt out. I've let it sit a few days with penetrating oil, and I've also tried heating it with a propane torch. Nothing gives.

I am contemplating drilling out the center of the bolt, but this is going to be a lot of work. Plus I run the risk of damaging the recieving hole in the steering knuckle. I thought I'd post and try to get some feedback first. Any thoughts?

[mdbrandy]

There are tools to do that job. The simplest one is a "pickle fork", which is a large, two-pronged fork tool. The fork tines are thin at the front and get progressivly thicker and thus act like little levers that slide on either side of the tie rod end and push it out as you hammer on the end of the fork. Anyone else have a better description? You can get one of these tools at most auto parts stores. There are different sizes for tie rod ends and ball joints. There are also little "press" tools that I have seen that use a sort of clamp and screw arrangement to press the end out of the knuckle, but I've never used one.

Good luck.

[hmsports]

You can usually 'rent' these for free at the local auto-parts store. It may -- most likely will -- ruin the rubber boot just so you know.

[baddriver]

Thanks Guys, that is just what I was looking for!

I've seen them for ball joints, but I didn't think to use them for my tie-rod ends. I'll give it a shot. I was thinking of something like a gear puller, but I don't think that would have done it.

It's ok if I ruin the old tie-rod end, I'm replacing them anyway, and it won't do any more damage (to the rubber boot) than the torch did!