help please. trouble with tie rods

[veks]

Well I just started with changing springs and stuff. so i went through with the www.bimmerdiy.com/e30 (http://www.bimmerdiy.com/e30) front spring and shock replacement. I get to the removing tie rods part and I'm stuck. The tie rods won't budge. My friend and I have been going at the tie rods with the pickle fork for a long time, and it just won't budge. Can someone give me some advice please?

Thanks.

[Brew]

Too bad about the pickle fork... you most likely ruined the boot doing so.

You want to give the knuckle a hard, sharp whack with a hammer right where the tie rod bolt goes through. Should come right out, if you still have trouble you can try putting a little downward pressure on the tie rod with a prybar while whacking.

[MikeE30325i]

basically take time and precisin and hit the tie rod bolt VERY hard. have fun.

[Brew]

basically take time and precisin and hit the tie rod bolt VERY hard. have fun.

No, do not do that. You will mushroom the stud and waffleswaffleswaffleswaffles up the threads.

Do it how I said, I do this shit everyday.

[1991 318is]

Be sure and leave the nut on. It protects the threads in case the hammer slips. Also, hit from the front to back. If you hit it hard going straight in the impact can go right to the rack and chip a tooth at the pinion. I broken two tie rod removal tools. 1 broke and the other stripped.

[1991 318is]

5031

[Brew]

Word.

[veks]

5031

doesnt this picture show to whack the part that isnt the rod?

[Dave]

doesnt this picture show to whack the part that isnt the rod?


Yes, yes it does.

[veks]

Yes, yes it does.

ok then thanks everyone. i'll give her another try.:D

[Maddog]

Listen to Brew; shops told me the same thing and works like a charm.

[Jean]

Any luck on this ? I have a pair of complete tie-rods and would like to know if it's something I could install myself or if I should pay for a shop to do....

[jajou318]

No, do not do that. You will mushroom the stud and waffleswaffleswaffleswaffles up the threads.

Do it how I said, I do this shit everyday.

True story. Use a block of wood when doing this

[Borat]

or don't hit the bolt? I think would would absorb a lot of the impact from the hammer, you could be there a while.
using the above method that above people have described works fine, the trick is "sharp" hits, your trying to shock it loose, not bash the metal out of shape.