Hiya,

I posted a while ago about doing my CV joints and I've finally found the time to do it however I've gone to try and disconnect the tie rod ends and they are impossible to get off, I have tried hammering the end of the bolt with a nut on it and even resorted to jacking the suspension up by the bolt and it just will not come off, I believe a garage I've taken it to in the past has had a bit of fun with an impact and overtorqued it but now I'm not really sure what options I'm left with to get it off? Some friends have suggested getting a blowtorch and heating it up and then replacing it once I can get it off but I thought I'd ask here first before I try that.

Any help is much appreciated thank you!

Need a ball joint fork

Long pry bar in between the TRE and either the wishbone, subframe or chassis.

I don't like using a fork on parts that will be reused personally as it can cut the rubber boot on them.

I would also recommend soaking it in Plusgas or similar for as long as you can.

If you try a blowtorch, then heat up the hub around the TRE threads.  The idea is the get the hub to expand in the heat, but leave the TRE as cold as possible so that that doesn't expand at the same rate.

Okay I'll get it up on stands next week and get some of that plusgas to soak it in for a bit. I'm expecting to need to replace it once it's off as it's old anyway so last resort ill give the forks a go and try heating up the hub, will get something to cover the tre while I do that if it comes to it.

Thank you!

try leaving the nut on very loosely and strike the joint (the component containing the hole that the taper is jammed into) smartly with a large hammer on its end in the direction of the hub. Alternately you and strike the taper retainer on both sides at the same time with two hammers. This worked for me in the past but please try at your own risk. This action distorts the hole temporarily for a moment, and has the effect of forcing the taper out, which should just drop out of the hole.

8 hours ago, Oriskany said:

try leaving the nut on very loosely and strike the joint (the component containing the hole that the taper is jammed into) smartly with a large hammer on its end in the direction of the hub. Alternately you and strike the taper retainer on both sides at the same time with two hammers. This worked for me in the past but please try at your own risk. This action distorts the hole temporarily for a moment, and has the effect of forcing the taper out, which should just drop out of the hole.

Sadly gave this a try at first and no joy, I smacked it a bit more than smartly too haha, even put my jack on the nut and jacked up the suspension by just the bolt and not even a nudge 💀 I will get it off one way or another 😂

On 7/9/2024 at 7:08 AM, DaveT70 said:

Need a ball joint fork

?