So, What's the trick to getting these bastard outer tie rods ends off? I know there is a tool sold at AutoZone, but it's too la te for that right now. I don't have a metric wrench large enough for the tie rod, I'm assuming 20 or 21mm, so I am using a crescent wrench. It's working just fine though.

My dilemma is, how can I keep the entire tie rod from rotating while trying to take off the outer tie rod end? I've tried vice grips but they slip on the tie rod. I've tried a torch and vice grips, still no luck... What should I do?



ALSO! When removing the ball joints with a press, The press out of the control arm downwards correct? I think so, but I'm just second guessing myself.

 

You need to take another wrench, locate the flat area on the tie rod, and hold that while undoing the rod end. Also, if the locking nuts are frozen on, they might need to be cut off.

 

2 hammers one has to be a ball peen hammer place the ballpeen like this /~] <--| T
normal hammer Ballpeen then the knucken

that is how we and the koreans have been doing it takes some pratcie but its easy...


B, in that strange pic up there this is how they are arranged regular hammer srtikeing the ballpeen striking the

 

a nut splitter can help if you're screwed. also a torch will loosen seized nuts/bolts.

 

^ Late hit, 6 yard penalty



Although helpful advice is always appreciated, I'm pretty sure this was fixed sometime in the last 4 years

 

use a pickle fork and smack it hard with a hammer..and hit it hard..or just smack the tapered hole where the tie rod is bolted to..