Tie rod locking washers stuck!

[buzdof]

I feel dumb since every weekend I get caught up in some project with my car and I always end up coming here for help with what seems like simple problems...

Long story short, I was driving when the driver side tie rod popped out from the spindle and now I get to replace the tie rod. I have the lock washer bent back (or in the case on one side, I had to take the angle grinder to it!) but I just can't get the damn thing loosened, I even had my huge roommate wrenching on it and he couldn't get it :(

Anybody with tips on getting the fucker out?

Anybody in the St. Paul, MN (Highland Park by the Ford plant) area feel like helping out (I'll buy beer!) I'll be working on it a little bit more tonight and all day tomorrow since I NEED this thing driving on Wednesday. PS Bring a pipe wrench!

Thanks!

[gearheadE30]

I assume that you are talking about the rack side of the tie rod? If the ball joint has been unbolted from the spindle, then it should be able to spin freely. The lock washer acts as a crush washer as well as a locking device, so it needs a lot of torque. Did you try to put a large pipe over the end of the wrench? the washer has to be COMPLETELY bent out of the way- use a hammer and a punch. Then it should come out...

[buzdof]

I've been pounding on it with a hammer and a flathead screwdriver to get it out of the way and I think it's all out of the way except for a little bit that I just can't get to without a dremel or something

[KenC]

I just used a huge pipe wrench and it just broke the little washer tab off when I unscrewed the tie-rod.

[buzdof]

I don't have a pipe wrench right now, but I'm trying to get my hands on one.

BTW: nice avatar, I just spent $30 on 5 750ml's of Rogue :)

[wagonizzle]

Yeah, a chisel works best in my experience. Those fuckers are on there!

[buzdof]

I used a huge fuck-off pipe wrench and it came right off :)

Now I know how to do it properly when I need to do the other side!

[VAPORBLADE]

I gots to do this tongiht! :)

[e30love]

Is this problem on the e30 rack or the e36 rack?

[mattdk318i]

either

[VAPORBLADE]

how did you guys torque the tie rod where it hooks to the rack?

[FredK]

I just did it gutentite. Aka tight, but not too tight. I guess you could use a torque wrench with a 32 or 27mm crowsfoot, depending on tie rod brand, but this wouldn't be completely accurate due to the small leverage the crowsfoot provides.

[VAPORBLADE]

Good call Fred. Thanks!

I am still going to call on you when it is S52 time! ;)