I need to replace the grease boot on my 2000 TJ tie rod end at the pitman arm. I don't want to beat on it if possible because I just want to replace the boot and not mess with the tie rod end itself. I bought a pitman arm puller at Harbor Freight to push the tie rod through the pitman arm but there is no clearance for the puller bolt in the un-threaded position. Is there a special tie rod or pitman arm puller out there that someone can point me to? Or, short of beating it with a hammer, is there another way to get the tie rod to drop free?
Help with tie rod at pitman arm
- Thread starter mrw
- Start date
Pictures would help.
Can't you jack up the front end and let the axle droop to get more space?
-Mac
Can't you jack up the front end and let the axle droop to get more space?
-Mac
It wouldn't drop because the pitman arm is attached to the steering box which does not drop any. If my mind is right!
To replace the tie rod end boot; you do not need to use a Pitman Arm Puller.
Remove the cotter pin, loosen the castle nut, apply pressure between the TRE and the Pitman Arm (TRE tool or Pickle fork), smack the side of the PA near where the TRE stud is attached.
The shock of the hammer on the PA should loosen and drop the taper stud thru the PA.
Remove the castle nut and the TRE should drop free from the PA.
Replace the grease boot and reassemble.
Do not forget to torque the TRE castle nut.
Remove the cotter pin, loosen the castle nut, apply pressure between the TRE and the Pitman Arm (TRE tool or Pickle fork), smack the side of the PA near where the TRE stud is attached.
The shock of the hammer on the PA should loosen and drop the taper stud thru the PA.
Remove the castle nut and the TRE should drop free from the PA.
Replace the grease boot and reassemble.
Do not forget to torque the TRE castle nut.
Will the pickle fork damage anything. I keep reading that the pickle fork will be rough on the tie rod end and was trying my best to not tear anything up so I could just replace the boot. But... you're saying hit the pitman arm with the hammer, not the shoulder of the tie rod? I really appreciate your help.
One more question. If it's challenging getting it to pop loose would turning the steering wheel help?
The only value in turning the steering wheel is to put the pitman arm in a better position to hit it with a hammer.
You likely do not need a pickle fork. I do not own one and have never needed one to remove a tie rod end. If anything, a tie rod end press is more useful and is less likely to tear up a grease boot.
For the pitman arm, I will sometimes use a second heavy mallet placed opposite where I hit it with the other hammer. The idea being to reduce the shock into the steering gear. But I have also not done this just as often and the tie rod end pops out easily enough.
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I saw one of those and was wondering if it would fit my tie rod at the pitman arm. Do you know if it will because I will get one.
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