Who has removed a steering rack or tie rod and how did you do it?

[suprarx7nut]

So I'm trying to repair my 88 auto and I can not for the life of me get the tie rod separated from the steering knuckle. I've read up on other cars and people simply hammering the knuckle casting to jar it loose, people using a pickle fork to seperate them and I can't get those to work.

I can't find anyone who sells anything like the SST in the tsrm, so how have you guys seperated this joint?!!

Thanks!

 

[PureDrifter]

go to autozone and rent a ball joint puller (25297 iirc) and it should take care of it.

 

[Scott 88-1JZ]

You can bang the top of the bolt if you are planning on replacing the outer tie rod ends since you will most likely damage the threads. The pickle fork can work to but I have never used one. I usually just hit the side of the steering knuckle and it pops free. Sometimes you need to grab a bigger hammer. You could also use a puller tool and set the forks around the bottom of the knuckle and press the tie rod end out.

 

[suprarx7nut]

You can bang the top of the bolt if you are planning on replacing the outer tie rod ends since you will most likely damage the threads. The pickle fork can work to but I have never used one. I usually just hit the side of the steering knuckle and it pops free. Sometimes you need to grab a bigger hammer. You could also use a puller tool and set the forks around the bottom of the knuckle and press the tie rod end out.

I might just need a bigger hammer. The one I'm using is just a small one. I had no idea that sucker would be in there this snug...

go to autozone and rent a ball joint puller (25297 iirc) and it should take care of it.

ah ha! That's the type of tool I was hoping to find... but Autozone didnt have that. Checker might have though... I'll check this weekend. Thanks!

 

[nuggets]

ditto on the puller. I used that to replace my tie rods. So easy.

 

[RazoE]

My neighbor and I have removed 4 steering racks on my Supras (and a few at the junkyard), you definitely need that pickle fork and a rubber mallet if it's super-wedged, but don't break anything..

 

[metaphysico]

I have a 3lb hammer, looks like a mini sledge with a 18" handle. Even with it you need to hit it very hard a few times. And I mean full force beat the crap out of it kind of swing, not too had when its on a lift, but I can imagine on the ground it would be hard to get enough force into the hit. Pullers are good but the cheeper ones ie $30 will break after a few uses if not the first time. The ones I have now are $150 each from matco they will take any abuse. And for the pickle forks they don't seem to work very well unless you have one for an air chisel. On a side note make sure to break the sleeve loose before removing the outer tie rod end or if its stuck it will be a pain once removed.

Edit: Forgot to mention you want to hit the knuckle not the tie rod end.

 

[89nasupra]

Also, make sure you have the wheel turned to the stopper so you are not losing force because the wheel is moving. I have taken them of with a regular claw hammer several times. And if you don't want to damage the threads, just leave the nut on the tierod end. You should be able to back it off a few turns and have space between the nut and steering knuckle so when it pops loose it will drop down some.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Update for those reviewing this in the future:

I got it off with the pickle fork. Took a few more HARD smacks and hitting the top of the nuts helped as well. I broke the shaft on my little hammer, but i got the little shit undone. Not the cleanest way to do it, but it worked.