Im replacing my driver side axle and control arm and im having trouble removing the tie rod from the steering knuckle. looks like the rubber around the tie rod ball joint is ripped. is this replaceable? it looks like the rubber is part of the tie rod.

Do I need a ball joint remover tool or something? any tips. thanks

 

Yup, sounds like new tie rod time also, iirc the oem boots are not replaceable on the tie rod, after market tie rod boots are usually separate from the tie rod..


I use a large hammer on the tie rod knuckle, just give it a few good hard whacks, and she should pop out, if you have access to a propane torch, heat the knuckle up before using hitting it with the hammer.

 

what dont you use a large hammer on

btw greeny, your control arm method. drill out the bushing... works, but took alot of cursing on the driver side. Im just now realizing on your write up you did the passenger side which looks like it works perfect. driver side i was able to drill it out, but because the tranny was in the way i had to angle drill the best i could. lost 2 drill bits. but I got it off about to go dremel that one piece off now.

looks like Ill go get new tie-rods then. i may as well do it while im ***** deep in grease and grime

I ended up leaving the tie rid on the knuckle. but i want to replace it. I tried beating it like a redhead step child but it wouldnt pop out. Ill have to get some of the axle./control arm back together and try to hit it off again. my hammer is probably barely 2 lbs worked for getting ball joint off tho.

 

$45 each tie rod, yikes. So when I put tie rod on, I just screw it on as close as the one I take off.

And get an alignment and call it a week? would if i put it on too far or not enough? is the tie rod what they adjust to do front end alignments? tips on tie rod replacement is what im looking for. if its as easy as it looks and i just go get it aligned then i should be fine, any special steps please let me know. thanks

 

you guys need to buy some bigger tools..

 

looks like ill need a special tool to remove the tie-rod. is this true or can i get it off some other way? I know theres tools, but looks like our tie rods have a bend to them by the ball join which would make it hard for the tool to get on there. how do I get that biatch off?

 

To get the outer off I just wedged a pickle fork between the knuckle and the ball joint and hammered away. The pickle fork is only about $10, a better hammer may be good enough though.

 

Why does this remind me of a terrible First Person Shooter where you go at cars with large hammers?

 

The remover tool only costs like $14.00, I just bought one last week - it's like the one pictured in the FSM. You can probably find them at Harbour Freight.

 

You can get a pickle fork/ Balljoint remover tool from the parts store for like $10. I used one to yank my drivers side tie rod end out of the steering knuckle( note that this will damage the rubber boot) and all the grease will leak out like mine did, which leads to the tie rod being no good! Seems that ever since I replaced my drives side tie rod end, I can't seem to get the steering wheel to go back to the center like it was before I replaced the tie rod.

 

All I had to do is read the title and I instantly thought "hammer."

 

Just a FYI, these tie rods are the oem, never been removed before..

 

FYI...a hammer will mushroom the tie rod stud and may make it too big to slide out of the spindle hole

 

+1 never use a hammer on the tie rod stud, only on the tie rod knuckle..

 

usually, the new one comes with new nuts, so I will turn the nut til its half way off (half the treads are exposed, half still on the stud), and hammer on that. prevents mushrooming, and provides a little more leverage to knock it off.
I haven't had any problems with this method, yet, but I have only done it a few times.

 

since the nut is not a full sized regular nut there are slots cut into it for the pin it doesn't have that much strength.

hammer all you want...it's going to bend the tips of the nut and make it a PITA to get the nut out.

ALSO...if you hammer it enough you'll mash the threads of the stud to the nut and the nut won't come off.

 

I learned that lesson the hard way. I now use a Pitman puller every time

 

good video greeny. I think ill be picking up a nice solid hammer when i get tie rods.