tie rod removal / steering rack question

[fogleroller]

I was trying to remove my tie rods today, but one is stuck (yes, I removed the lock clip). I tried using a vise grip and 4lb sledge. No luck.

My question, will pounding with the sledge, on the tie rod, damage the steering rack?

I put everything back together and I feel some extra vibrations on the steering wheel while driving.

[meme]

go to harbor freight. tools. ball joint remver tool is about $6.95. $8 for the bigger upright ball joint.

[projectRDM]

Read the post dillhole, he's not removing the tie rod end.

You *might* damage a seal in the rack, but it's doubtful. Put a little more force on it and see what happens, I've had to stand on one before to break it loose.

[mrmephistopheles]

get a BIGASS crescent (about 16" long) and use that. Original tierods tend to be very difficult to break loose.

-Kevin

[Salty_X]

Mine came off pretty easily after I warmed them up with a heat gun..

[ch1873857]

yeah mine came off fine. huge ass cresent wrend and a pickle fork did it for me

[fogleroller]

get a BIGASS crescent (about 16" long) and use that. Original tierods tend to be very difficult to break loose.

-Kevin

Yup, that's what I thought. Just bought one from Home Depot. I just hope the car doesn't fall on me when I am under it, gonna have to jack it high.

Kevin, are there Home Depots over there?

[mrmephistopheles]

not a chance in hell, John. Most of the tools I see for sale are either a.) cheaply made and expensive, or b.)good brand tools (like snap-on) and ridiculously expensive.

[alkemyst]

On mine I needed two crescent wrenches and it was tight. I made the mistake of forgeting open end wrenches when I bought sockets and box wrenches beyond 24mm.

off to ebay :)