Tie rod will not separate??

[MitchFong]

Im putting new suspension on my car but i cannot get the tie rod hub to separate. i just bent a pickle fork trying to pry it apart? anyone have any suggestions for me? Doesnt seem like it should be this hard.

[Charlie]

Smoke wrench, PB blaster and a BFH.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

-Charlie

[RobertK]

Spray some PB Blaster and/or some Liquid Wrench and let it sit for at least an hour.

If you are replacing them and are not worried about damaging them whack the shit out of them with a hammer. Be sure to use a small jack to keep the strut and control arm from moving and absorbing the impact.

[PeaveyBassist]

Jack up the strut NOT under the tie rod's outer ball joint. Then beat the shit out of the strut with a BFH.

Will

[MitchFong]

best kind. thanks for the help guys.
I just put a shit load of force on the pickle fork and hit the top of the nut. Came out after that. But i tore the boot/seal on th etie rod. So something needs to be done there i believe. Anyone have any suggestions as to removing the strut? The strut housing moves when i turn that 19mm bolt on top.

[RobertK]

Yeah.. it's called an impact wrench.. but if you're trying to remove the entire strut/shock/spring assembly then you need to be removing the 3 13mm bolts that hold the strut mount in place not the 19mm bolt that holds the shock to the strut mount.

[MitchFong]

yea i removed those 3 nuts on the shock tower, but you need to remove the 19mm nut aswell. Im replaceing it all but you need to remove that 19mm to remove/install the strut dont you?
and i have no access to an impact gun, car is imobile there now.
Thanks,
Mitch

[Dave]

DOnt remove that 19mm until you have the springs compressed or you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise.

[Alecs MacDonald]

yea i removed those 3 nuts on the shock tower, but you need to remove the 19mm nut aswell. Im replaceing it all but you need to remove that 19mm to remove/install the strut dont you?

NO, do not remove the 19mm nut while the strut is installed. Once you have the strut removed you will have to compress the spring then you can remove the nut. It is a good idea to break the nut loose while the strut is installed though. To remove the strut all you have to do is remove the three nuts on the shock tower and then unbolt the tie rod, swaybar link, and control arm from the strut. Break the control arm taper loose in the same manner as the tierod.

[HST]

Once you get the 3 13mm off the top, there should be 1 bolt, 17mm or 19 mm maybe, at the bottom of the strut then it should fall out.

[RobertK]

Once you get the 3 13mm off the top, there should be 1 bolt, 17mm or 19 mm maybe, at the bottom of the strut then it should fall out.

On an E30 the strut is one piece. You unbolt the bottom of the strut from the control arm and remove the strut assembly

Definately remove the strut/shock/spring assembly BEFORE trying to remove that 19mm nut at the top of the strut mount. If you attempt to remove it BEFORE compressing the spring you could risk serious injury.

[Dave]

Definately remove the strut/shock/spring assembly BEFORE trying to remove that 19mm nut at the top of the strut mount. If you attempt to remove it BEFORE compressing the spring you could risk serious injury.

Or death - seriously.

[MitchFong]

yea the springs are fully compressed, i read an article before attempting this explainging what will happen.
My question is, how do i get that 19mmm bolt loose without the strut housing turing? I do not have an impact wrench so im shit out of luck there.

[MitchFong]

When i try and turn that 19mm bolt, the top of the strut/spring just spins. I have channel locks on the strut itself but the rod inside the strut just spins when i turn the socket wrench?
Im out of ideas on this one.

[Dave]

When i try and turn that 19mm bolt, the top of the strut/spring just spins. I have channel locks on the strut itself but the rod inside the strut just spins when i turn the socket wrench?
Im out of ideas on this one.

Vise-Grips on the strut shaft.