Tie rod wont come loose - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Choptop32 · 05-19-2010, 08:26 PM

from the drag link. I've tried using a pickle fork (perhaps a have too large of one, designed for ball joints) and I've tried hammering directly on the end of the threaded stud... to no avail.

any tips?

I've got all new tie rod ends and nice new solid tie rod sleeves to install... just cant get the damn thing off.

Choptop32 · 05-19-2010, 08:40 PM

perhaps a tie rod puller... ahhhh, an opportunity to buy a new tool

Bears63 · 05-19-2010, 10:49 PM

Either you need a much bigger hammer or a tie rod puller. Usually whacking the end of the stud does the trick but not always. I bet you can rent a puller for a day at most parts stores. I would try that next and see where it gets you.

Choptop32 · 05-19-2010, 10:53 PM

I got a tie rod/pitman puller from HF... it was too big.. it just slipped over the bulge in the drag link. Will check at the auto parts store in the morning to see if there is a smaller one to be rented.

andyh1956 · 05-20-2010, 01:18 AM

try this. use two hammers. hold one as backup on the backside of the centerlink where the stud goes through the hole. then hit the front side opposit the backup hammer. what your trying to do is "egg shape" the hole for a split second. you may have to drop the idler down to get swinging room. works every time & dont ruin threads or boots.
andy

**leddzepp** · 05-20-2010, 01:24 AM

Did you see this new tool at harbor freight? It is for ball joints, but worked great on my tie rod ends too. Had them off in less than a minute. This will also preserve your boots if you plan to re-use them. Don't hit the threaded end of the tie rod end to try and pop it out, you will just mushroom it and make it even more difficult to remove. The pic you posted above looks like a pitman arm puller to me.

*blackedoutharley* · 05-20-2010, 03:13 AM

Buy a tie rod pickle fork and a bigger ball peen hammer. If you have air try an airhammer with the pickle fork attachment.

maxwoof · 05-20-2010, 05:08 PM

I have always used the two hammer method. Whack the sides with both hammers at the same time. If the tie rod stud faces down, sometimes I put jack pressure under it before I strike it. Other times, I will pry with a long bar. Usually takes 3-5 tries, but has always worked.

05-19-2010, 08:26 PM	#1
Choptop32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 77	Tie rod wont come loose from the drag link. I've tried using a pickle fork (perhaps a have too large of one, designed for ball joints) and I've tried hammering directly on the end of the threaded stud... to no avail. any tips? I've got all new tie rod ends and nice new solid tie rod sleeves to install... just cant get the damn thing off.

05-19-2010, 08:40 PM	#2
Choptop32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 77	Re: Tie rod wont come loose perhaps a tie rod puller... ahhhh, an opportunity to buy a new tool Last edited by Choptop32; 05-19-2010 at 08:40 PM.

05-19-2010, 10:49 PM	#3
Bears63 ...just another truck junkie.. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Watertown, SD Posts: 698	Re: Tie rod wont come loose Either you need a much bigger hammer or a tie rod puller. Usually whacking the end of the stud does the trick but not always. I bet you can rent a puller for a day at most parts stores. I would try that next and see where it gets you. __________________ Mike "Bear" Shea

05-19-2010, 10:53 PM	#4
Choptop32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 77	Re: Tie rod wont come loose I got a tie rod/pitman puller from HF... it was too big.. it just slipped over the bulge in the drag link. Will check at the auto parts store in the morning to see if there is a smaller one to be rented.

05-20-2010, 01:18 AM	#5
andyh1956 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: thomastown mississippi Posts: 1,261	Re: Tie rod wont come loose try this. use two hammers. hold one as backup on the backside of the centerlink where the stud goes through the hole. then hit the front side opposit the backup hammer. what your trying to do is "egg shape" the hole for a split second. you may have to drop the idler down to get swinging room. works every time & dont ruin threads or boots. andy

05-20-2010, 01:24 AM	#6
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: Tie rod wont come loose Did you see this new tool at harbor freight? It is for ball joints, but worked great on my tie rod ends too. Had them off in less than a minute. This will also preserve your boots if you plan to re-use them. Don't hit the threaded end of the tie rod end to try and pop it out, you will just mushroom it and make it even more difficult to remove. The pic you posted above looks like a pitman arm puller to me. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul Last edited by leddzepp; 05-20-2010 at 01:27 AM.

05-20-2010, 03:13 AM	#7
blackedoutharley Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plumas Lake, Ca. Posts: 1,009	Re: Tie rod wont come loose Buy a tie rod pickle fork and a bigger ball peen hammer. If you have air try an airhammer with the pickle fork attachment.

05-20-2010, 05:08 PM	#8
maxwoof Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edgewater NJ Posts: 159	Re: Tie rod wont come loose I have always used the two hammer method. Whack the sides with both hammers at the same time. If the tie rod stud faces down, sometimes I put jack pressure under it before I strike it. Other times, I will pry with a long bar. Usually takes 3-5 tries, but has always worked.



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