Can't get outer tie rod end off ball joint...

[satek]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to replace my LBJ's and I can't for the life of me get the tie rod end bolt off...

I've used one of those pullers, a pickle fork, and it's not budging.

Any advice?

 

[jhfleet]

If you've already used a pickle fork the boot is likely toast. I'd put the nut back on a few threads (upside down) and hit it a few times with a goodly sized hammer.

 

[TCMach]

I used one of these Performance Tool W142 - Pittman Arm Puller | O'Reilly Auto Parts on two trucks and they've worked like a charm. Just keep cranking till it pops out. Maybe try some heat while applying pressure with the puller

 

[Idle Beak]

I have run into this problem as well and even when I beat the hell out of it I couldn't get it out so I cut the tie rod off and replaced it. It was worth the money just to be done with it. I bought the replacement from auto zone. It wasn't very expensive and it's a quality part.

 

[D Farms]

use a cheater bar on the puller and get it as tight as possible, then hit it with a hammer. do not apply heat as you will ruin any temper there is on the parts.

 

[satek]

I think I've tried everything mentioned. I actually broke the puller... I think I may have to cut it off. Did you just use an angle grinder and was it difficult to thread the outer tie rod end off of the inner tie rod?

 

[thebrandon]

Heat and something heavy to hit it with. Are you replacing it or taking it off and putting it back on? When I removed them I had to put the torch on low and heat up the part of the LBJ the TRE attaches to and smack that part with the hammer. Worked great to get it out. On one side I had to put the castle nut on upside down, but this is not my favorite thing to do. if you hit it hard enough and use heat on the part the bolt goes through it will come off.

 

[jeremyc74]

I have one of these, and it's the shit! I just used it on mine last week.

Amazon.com: Wilmar W83022 Ball Joint Separator: Home Improvement

They sell one similar to it at Harbor Freight. I'm sure it's not the same level of quality, but it might be good enough.

You can also try the "(1) Damn good hammer" method, but I didn't have any luck with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtk3e5oDwQ

If you take the four bolts out of the brake shield it will spin around and you can get better access to it to beat on it.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

Save yourself the headaches

Just buy new tierod ends and replace it with the LBJ.

Count the Rotations (threads) as you spin off the old tierods and spin the new ones on the same amount.

Then go get it aligned.