Outer Tie Rod Removal Problems.....

[cah77388]

I'm trying to replace the outer tie rods on a 96 cutlass, 2dr....I have read the GM service manual, and the Haynes manual, and both say to use a pitman arm puller...The one I rented from O'Reilly doesn't fit...and its the bigger puller, I have an adjustable one, that somewhat works, but no matter how much you turn, the tie rod will not come out of the steering knuckle...it just starts to bore out an indention of the tie rod bolt. I've seen a few things online that mention it should be fairly easy....but, they will not budge...I'm not sure if they are the original, I'm assuming not as they don't look like the AcDelco's I bought to replace them, and the fact that the car has 282,000 miles on it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[AL]

I have always just loosened the nut on the tie rod then taken the cotter pin out and taken the nut off the tie rod end (the one on the knuckle) then just used a hammer and knocked the tie rod end loose and twisted it off...

[alec_b]

Try applying pressure with your puller (not a ton, but a decent amount) and whacking the area surrounding where the tie rod goes through the knuckle. The shock will usually let it loose. It's just stuck.

[BXX]

A pitman arm puller wont really get you anywhere.

 

You need a pickle fork and a big hammer. When I dont have my air hammer with pickle fork attatchment, I use my BFH and hit the knuckle where the tie rod goes into it and it breaks loose. I few whacks on the stud doesnt hurt either.

 

It may take a bunch of hammering, but they will eventually give up and pop out.

[xtremerevolution]

A pitman arm puller wont really get you anywhere.

 

You need a pickle fork and a big hammer. When I dont have my air hammer with pickle fork attatchment, I use my BFH and hit the knuckle where the tie rod goes into it and it breaks loose. I few whacks on the stud doesnt hurt either.

 

It may take a bunch of hammering, but they will eventually give up and pop out.

 

X2 on this. You need the pickle fork and a hammer. Just bash that fork in there and it will give way. Lately I've been without my pickle fork, so I just hammer up the stud and it eventually gives way.

[carkhz316]

...Except that if you ever need to just remove a tie rod end for some other purpose and plan on reinstalling it, then a pickle fork isn't always the best as it typically destroys the boot. Otherwise, pickle fork all the way!!!

[xtremerevolution]

...Except that if you ever need to just remove a tie rod end for some other purpose and plan on reinstalling it, then a pickle fork isn't always the best as it typically destroys the boot. Otherwise, pickle fork all the way!!!

 

Yeah, that's a big pain in the ass. I've had that happen to me before. I sat there with a mini sledge for a while before it popped out.

[94vertluvr]

X2 on this. You need the pickle fork and a hammer. Just bash that fork in there and it will give way. Lately I've been without my pickle fork, so I just hammer up the stud and it eventually gives way.

 

 

YEP! I've just done this twice on both sides; picked up a cheap pickle fork from Harbor Freight for about $8; used a BFH like BXX did; about 8 or 10 good whacks and it's off! The REAL issue for me was getting that freaking end to screw off the rod; get you 2, NOT 1 but 2 pipe wrenches and PB Blaster and it should work off after a little while. I hope you got the ends that had the grease fiting; mine did from Napa; an alignment shop said if you keep that sucker filled with grease every time you change the oil it will never need replaced again!