How do I remove a stuck outer tie rod end

[den7]

Hi, I need to remove an outer tie rod end to replace a split power steering rack boot. I have tried some spray lube, hitting with a rubber mallet, and a c-clamp, but all to no avail. I don't want to destroy the rack end because it's still good. Thanks for any help

 

[TrqMnstr]

Beat that shit son. Use a heavier mallet. Or steel. It shouldn't be to hard.

 

[tubbie]

Put on a nut that you don't need. Make sure the nut goes down halfway or more into the threads. Then beat the crap out of it, should come right off easily and save your threads on the tie rod.

 

[Tun_x]

Are you going to replace the joint? If so just get a pickle fork and kick its ass!!

 

[Kckazdude]

Place your nut back on the tie rod stud to protect the threads. Leave it loose so it has room to fall. At the red arrow, insert a prybar or long screwdriver and apply pressure. At the yellow arrow strike metal surface of your spindle with a metal hammer. After second or third strike it should fall out.

 

[SPD TRP]

go to autozone or advance auto parts or whatever is in your area and borrow a balljoint/tie rod seperater.

a pickle fork will ruin the rubber dust boot on the tie rod.

 

[Asterix]

One medium smack with a metal hammer should be sufficient. I use a steel bar to reach in there and your standard 16oz framing hammer. If you're hitting it hard enough to deform it, you (or someone else) put it in too tightly. It's only gets 36ft-lb. A tie rod puller/separator usually needs a smack, too, but a smaller one. It's the impact that works. Don't forget a new cotter pin!

Asterix

 

[Wiisass]

But don't hit the actual tie rod end, hit the spindle. A couple smacks with a good hammer and the thing should drop. But don't hit the threads, even with a nut on there, I've seen them mushroom too many times from people thinking that was a good idea and then smacking them around until they came out. But you can take out all your agression on the spindle and it will withstand the abuse.

 

[den7]

Hi,

Thank you very much to everyone who replied.

I ended up using a combination of measures to remove the tie rod end.
I bought a small 3lb mallet, I figured I'd let physics help me out a bit..
I hit the spindle several times hard and applied some force to the tie rod end, as was suggested, but it didn't move. After hitting the spindle I then gave the top of the tie rod end about 3 or 4 hard taps with the mallet, the tie rod end I have has a "buffer zone" on top without any thread, so it was safe to tap it, but not too hard. After that it fell out. It looks like the step I missed was hitting the spindle, that seemed to help dislodge the tie rod end.

 

[cuel]

Always hit the spindle. If your lazy(like me), and are replacing the tie rod end anyway, you can get a fork that goes in your air hammer. Makes short work of even the most stubborn tie rod ends. They make narrow forks for tie rod ends, and wider ones for ball joints.