Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

[SinusoidalTendencies]

well i don't know about you but i know i'm in for one when i start with an issue with practically the first step.
especially when the instructions go like, "just tap on it, and it comes right out".


Can't get my steering end ball joint separated from the wheel assembly.
sprayed it with some penetrant. jacked it up a wee by the main ball joint to hopefully take some tension off of it.

IMAG0936[1].jpg

<nut is on the very end for better smacking. there is room to budge>
someone walked off with my torch

hasn't budged a mm smacking it.

Any bright ideas??..?.or bad ideas??

I know i really just need my torch

[atoyta]

You can use a puller similar to this to remove it. Measure the width of the joint & buy a puller appropriate to that size.
https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-a ... Q8QAvD_BwE

[rer233]

Don't smack on the nut (or tie rod end) hit the steering knuckle. You'll probably have to hit it pretty hard to shock it loose. Good Luck!

[SinusoidalTendencies]

there's a situation with my wallet too. hoping to finish with this thing so i can get to my next gig....so working with whatever i can find laying around.

banging the knuckle...more nothing happening
maybe i'm just weak

[atoyta]

Some parts stores will loan tools, maybe Oreillys or Autozone in your area?

[xirdneh]

I use a chunk of steel about 3 lbs or more and hold it under the arm that the shaft passes through (front underedge of arm). There is not much surface there but enough. That forces the shaft to absorb more of the impact when i smack the end of the shaft with a copper or brass large hammer. Works almost every time and i have done a lot of them. Heating the arm up can help too. Lead hammer would work too. Bigger is better.

[SinusoidalTendencies]

can't get the other side either. i feel like i must be doing something wrong.

your method was the first i tried Robert. no dice.

tried leverage on top of the tie rod end while smacking the knuckle. no dice

the puller thingy from harbor freight really looks like the best bet if it fits the knuckle

[SinusoidalTendencies]

or maybe i can figure something out with some c-clamps....?..?.??..?..

[dlb]

Ditto on Rob's advice. I've had to put a puller like atoyta linked to on the tie rod end stud, do it up snug, and then bash side of the part that the stud sits in. Eventually they have always popped out for me. But yeah, unfortunately I think a ball joint puller is a must for front end work.

[The Professor]

If you have two hammers, try simultaneously smacking the casting that the tie rod's stud passes through. There is a tapered bore in there, if you can shock-distort that bore with the two hammer method you should be able to eject the tie rod.

Also, use more penetrating oil...

[slimdude85]

Most part's stores have a rental tool program. I know O'Reilly rents out "pickle forks" (tie rod separators) for a deposit that would be . That would be rather economical, considering the deposit is fully refunded upon return.

[marlinh]

Hit the side of the knuckle where the tie rod passes through with a large hammer. It's tapered fit and usually a couple good raps breaks it free. Never needed a puller on a tie rod before.

[SinusoidalTendencies]

a few dozen smacks raps and taps later.....still here
still not budging
both sides the same

not trying to break anything here
not trying to tare the boots with a fork....the puller would cost about the same anyways

[SinusoidalTendencies]

and i thought it was weird too that they didn't just come out. not my first time replacing axles. just my first tercel4wd

[Petros]

EASY! You only need one large hammer to strike it on the arm right at the taper (after you loosen the castle nut). It will just fall out.

The shock wave though the metal forces the taper to pop out. perfectly safe if you strike it in the correct spot. Allows you to re use the tie rod end, most pullers or "pickle fork" tool will damage the boot, striking it with a hammer will not. see picture.