Steering Rack Removal

[1WildII]

Ok excuse my lack of terminology, but I need help pulling off my steering rack and I think they are called tie rods , where the steering rack connects to the spindle... is there any special way to get it out, because those things dont seem to budge and they are the only things left holding it on. Any help would be great, along with the correct name if I got it wrong. Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[IICrazy]

This is probably what you need, which i believe you can rent from auto parts stores

Tie rod seperator

 

[1WildII]

Cool, thanks for the help.

Chris

 

[Blue Thunder]

(Also doubles as a tuning fork)

 

[dmoody]

Those tie rod separators are possibly the worst possible thing to use unless you are changing the tie rods... they always end up busting the grease pack. They make a tie rod puller which hooks around the tie rod then screws down on the end where the king pin/nut goes. That is what I would get if you want to reuse your tie rods. Check out "harbor freight tools" for great prices on tools that you don't use very often. Be forewarned however that nearly all of their stuff is made overseas.

d

 

[1970impala]

Those tie rod separators are possibly the worst possible thing to use unless you are changing the tie rods... they always end up busting the grease pack. They make a tie rod puller which hooks around the tie rod then screws down on the end where the king pin/nut goes. That is what I would get if you want to reuse your tie rods. Check out "harbor freight tools" for great prices on tools that you don't use very often. Be forewarned however that nearly all of their stuff is made overseas.

d

CALLING TIM....COBRAII351...WHERE ARE YOU!!!! (he is the ultimate expert on these!!!) seriously.

 

[Blue Thunder]

An air hammer will loosen the rod end without hurting the parts.

 

[zwhitr]

An air hammer will loosen the rod end without hurting the parts.

I have never used any special tool

just loosen the nut a few sharp wraps on the nut and its loose if that don't work get a bigger hammer

ps. I like the air hammer idea --- thanks Blue Thunder

 

[Stang2Man]

just keep an eye on some of those harbor freight tools, they aren't always the best quality i've had some success with their stuff, but like was mentioned they're made overseas.

 

[Johan]

This type is very easy to use.

 

[1WildII]

Man I was hoping I didnt have to buy a special tool! Ill try a few "raps" on it and see if it comes off, if not then Ill go get the tool that I will only use twice, or so im lead to believe.

Harbor Frieght is sort of hit and miss with thier stuff, me and a friend bought a welder from them, lets say we got lucky because it still works, but I can tell they have some low quality stuff.

Chris

 

[Stang2Man]

Auto Zone loans plenty of tools out and I'm pretty sure that the "snake tongue" that's what I've always heard it called, but anyway, that shoudl be on their loan-a-tool list you may wanna check on the website or just drop in your nearest AutoZone.

 

[rufus13]

I'm a automotive tech...My main job is front end alignments and front end work....

Take the nut off and hit the end of the spindle with a large sledge hammer.....
If you hit it a couple of times...the tie rod will pop right out...

Warning....Do not do this if you are worried about slightly denting the end of the spindle arm...

Works for me everytime......and its fast.....

Just a suggestion....

 

[Blue Thunder]

I'm a automotive tech...My main job is front end alignments and front end work....

Take the nut off and hit the end of the spindle with a large sledge hammer.....
If you hit it a couple of times...the tie rod will pop right out...

Warning....Do not do this if you are worried about slightly denting the end of the spindle arm...

Works for me everytime......and its fast.....

Just a suggestion....

Yeah, I used to do that when I was still fixing cars for a living. It "ovals" the hole slightly. Looks ugly, but is effective.

 

[mcmmotorsports]

I'm a automotive tech...My main job is front end alignments and front end work....

Take the nut off and hit the end of the spindle with a large sledge hammer.....
If you hit it a couple of times...the tie rod will pop right out...

Warning....Do not do this if you are worried about slightly denting the end of the spindle arm...

Works for me everytime......and its fast.....

Just a suggestion....

Always worked for me

 

[1WildII]

ok I have succesfully removed it, I used the hammer trick and it came right out. Now does anyone need a power steering rack? Thanks for the help,

Chris