Tie rod end is really stuck

dn02

dn02

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Joined
Jun 4, 2023
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New York
My left tie rod end is really, really stuck. I banged on the knuckle with a hammer, tried to pry it apart with a pickle fork, heated it with a torch, and used a tie rod puller (which in this use is actually a pusher). Along the way I applied plenty of penetrating oil. Nothing had any effect except for the puller which completely destroyed the top of the bolt due to the extreme amount of pressure I was putting on it. The right side, by the way, came out quite easily as did the pitman arm.

So I've spent an entire weekend on this and I am lost as to what to try next. Anyone ever seen one of these stuck this badly??? Any ideas???

The attached photo shows the damage done by the tie rod puller. You can imagine how much pressure was applied to do that much damage. BTW, the hole in the center started as a tiny indent to center the puller bolt.

20230917_100829-edit.jpg
 
OldBuzzard said:
How big of a hammer? How hard did you hit the knuckle?

Sometimes it needs a bigger hammer, and a really solid knock or three.
Click to expand...

Well, its not a sledge hammer, but a good sized all steel head. And I would estimate the number of knocks in the hundreds. I don't have a sledge hammer but I wonder if it would be worth trying.
 
Last edited:
97JadeTJ said:
Get a BFH and hit the knuckle like you just walked in and found your best friend wearing your Batman underwear drinking your beer!
Click to expand...

Okay, so that's two votes for a bigger hammer. Or maybe its the image you put in my head that will do the trick.
 
Did you spend any time with a hammer on the side of the knuckle?

Clean up the stud so it will actually fit through the hole, get a man size hammer, and beat the side of the knuckle next to the stud like it owes you money.

Screenshot_20230918-182501_Gallery.jpg
 
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dn02 said:
Okay, so that's two votes for a bigger hammer. Or maybe its the image you put in my head that will do the trick.
Click to expand...

Bigger hammer will do nothing for you unless you are hitting the knuckle next to the stud.

Your just burning calories and making no progress unless you are hammering it the right way.
 
Curious what kind of shape your steering knuckles are in?
Maybe throw that sucker out too and be done with it.
 
Okay, so I'm looking at the Husky 4 pound engineers hammer. Is that what we are talking about here?
Mhass said:
Curious what kind of shape your steering knuckles are in?
Maybe throw that sucker out too and be done with it.
Click to expand...

That might be something to try if nothing else works. Guess I'd have to spend some time researching how to do that.
 
dn02 said:
Okay, so I'm looking at the Husky 4 pound engineers hammer. Is that what we are talking about here?


That might be something to try if nothing else works. Guess I'd have to spend some time researching how to do that.
Click to expand...
At least a 3lb.

You might need to cut off the top of that stud so you can get a nut back on.
Then give it a couple of whacks too.
 
dn02 said:
Thanks for the video and image. Confirms I was hitting it in the right place.
Click to expand...

Okee dokee 😃

Just wanted to be sure. Hitting it on the side is the important part.

And sadly, it took me longer than expected to find someone demonstrating the correct way.
 
Okay, appreciate all the replies and advice. Gonna get myself a BFH and have another go at this on the weekend.
 
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