Outer tie rod stuck on. Advice needed

[Madhatter]

yeah, it is. Just depends on which brand of joint really.

[econti]

Oh, awesome. I'll remember that for next time.
I got mine for like $35 posted, here in a couple of days. I thought that was pretty reasonable.

[Madhatter]

It's not really the impact that removes it though. The fork pretty much just drives between two surfaces and pops the joint out. It's pretty much just a wedge you are jamming in there.

Anyone in aus, if you tear a boot on an otherwise known good ball joint, you can buy replacement Tie rod end boots for VT commodores. They fit perfectly and come with a spring clip to hold it in place. Few bucks each vs having to buy a new joint (and wait for it to arrive).

[econti]

As far as I could figure out, it was because the rubber bit covering the balljoint was taking the impact and not the balljoint itself. We just ripped the rubber off, and belted the bejesus out of the fork and it dropped off.
would only recommend if you have a new tie rod that definitely fits though.

[Thizzelle]

this was happening to me today. I just smashed the pickle forki with a 5lb sledge hammer and it fell out easy.

[jeffnhiscars]

Someone on here told me a way of doing it where you hit the knuckle, and that will loosen up the tie rod. I tried that, it didn't work. I just ding up the knuckle.

I haven't used this tool, but some people swear by it:



Put a nut on top of the tie rod bolt and give it a solid whack. Also....this stuff is a must have to have around when doing suspention work. Spray it a day or two before(if you can), and life will be easier.

PB Blaster:

I used both the PB Blaster (and yes advance use of it is a big asset) and that ball joint separator but the last time the tool broke so I put heat to the hub and gave the top of the joint a good whack with the 3lb sledge. THAT worked

[Madhatter]

look at the end of your tool. If you have any rounding on the fork, the reason why it probably didn't come off no matter how hard you hit it, was that it was actually striking on the stub axle.

You have to get it at the right angle and make sure you clear everything, otherwise it's not going anywhere. Very easy to hit the stub.

[george graves]

Someone on here told me a way of doing it where you hit the knuckle, and that will loosen up the tie rod. I tried that, it didn't work. I just ding up the knuckle.

I haven't used this tool, but some people swear by it:



Put a nut on top of the tie rod bolt and give it a solid whack. Also....this stuff is a must have to have around when doing suspention work. Spray it a day or two before(if you can), and life will be easier.

PB Blaster:

[econti]

Well, dad somehow got it out by doing exactly what I was doing. Used the balljoint breaker (pickle fork) and just belted the shit out of it a bit until it worked. No idea why it worked when he did, and not when I was hitting it. Oh well.
Thanks for the help lads.

[Madhatter]

even if you hit the threaded section sticking out of the stub axle? can't get it to free up?

[econti]

Alright, thanks.
Dad's bringing the oxy gear home tonight and hopefully we don't set the grease on fire.

[kraken]

Doubt it. Everything is stuck where they touch. You can cut the bottom off the tie rod and try to drill it out. That would eventually work. Heat is probably the best option though.

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[econti]

It sure is something. Do you reckon that sawing the tie rod in half would release some of the pressure?

[kraken]

Damn that thing is stuck. Yeah heat up the housing part and see if you can get it to pop out. Never had one that stuck before.

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[econti]

Use a pickle fork and 3lb+ hammer.

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Pickle fork is what we call a balljoint breaker. Have been bashing the stuffing out of it with a 5lb lump hammer. The fork has destroyed the rubber covering the balljoint, but gets to about 3/4 the way along the forks and then won't go any further no matter how hard I hit it.