Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

How-to's and repair secrets for your 4WD can be found here. Have a question? Ask it in here!
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
atoyta
Top Notch Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:32 pm
My tercel:: 3 wagons now
Location: Monroe, Washington

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
User avatar
rer233
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:49 pm
My tercel:: Multiple

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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!
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
atoyta
Top Notch Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:32 pm
My tercel:: 3 wagons now
Location: Monroe, Washington

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by atoyta »

Some parts stores will loan tools, maybe Oreillys or Autozone in your area?
xirdneh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 2121
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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.
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by SinusoidalTendencies »

or maybe i can figure something out with some c-clamps....?..?.??..?..
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
User avatar
dlb
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 7305
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 650
Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 6:38 pm
My tercel:: 1987 Tercel SR5 4WD wagon
Location: Western Washington
Contact:

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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...
1975 Subaru SuperStar wagon
1984 Subaru Turbo-Traction wagon & hardtop
1987 Subaru RX 3-door
1987 Subaru RX Type-RA 3-door
1987 Toyota Tercel SR5 wagon
1999 Subaru Forester S
2002 Subaru WRX sedan
2019 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited
User avatar
slimdude85
Advanced Member
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2017 1:50 pm
My tercel:: 1981 Toyota Tercel
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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.
Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:25-26

I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages. -C.H. Spurgeon
User avatar
marlinh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:15 am
My tercel:: 'Everett' Blue 87 4WD Wagon (Rocky 86, recently retired)
Location: Kootenays

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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.
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
User avatar
SinusoidalTendencies
Top Notch Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:06 pm
My tercel:: 87 4wd wagon

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck

Post by 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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
Post Reply