HELP>> Outer Tie rod ends STUCK !!!

[icom]

I was going to change the outer tie rod ends on a 99 Explorer I picked up,but I cant get the dang things to unscrew from the shaft. I tried soaking with PB Blaster/Liquid Wrench,heating with a torch,pipe wrenchs and it just doesnt budge.these are the toughest,most stubborn tie rod ends I've ever seen.

Anyone have any idea on something to try ?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Did you loosen the jam nut? If not it's not going to turn.

 

[icom]

LOL!!!
naturally;before I even removed the castle nut.

 

[Turdle]

I had to put my son's in a vise to get the inners out of them.
Evidently, it had been awhile since the last alignment eh?

 

[icom]

I was hoping I didn't have to go and remove the whole thing from the inners,but it's starting to look that way..I guess then I can either "make it or break it" with it in a vise

 

[isayhilo]

try some jig-a-loo. i've had a lot better luck with that stuff than liquid wrench or pb blaster

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

make sure you're turning the right way. on my 93 i want to say one of them was reverse threaded. i didn't realize this until a few minutes into turning.

i guess just keep soaking with PB blaster and maybe a big channel lock

 

[wood1]

Were you using propane or acetylene?

You'd think that the heat would have done the trick...

 

[icom]

Were you using propane or acetylene?

You'd think that the heat would have done the trick...

just a small propane torch.. been a week soaking with PB Blaster and Jig-A-Loo and heating with a torch without any luck,the S.O.B just wont turn

the drivers side came right off,just turned it off with my hand,only needed the wrench to loosen the jam nut

 

[skoal_mint]

you need the real torches and it should come right off

these are the easy tierods, try the older ones with sleeves

 

[wood1]

Yeah, propane is not as good at all. I did have a bit of luck once using 2 propane torches, letting them heat the bolt/nut (can't remember) until it was nice and red. Came off then...

 

[icom]

got it off,portable acetylene torch,was still a SOB,and about 1/2"-3/4" of the threads on the end were/are screwed up.

anyone know what size the threads are ?? run a die on it should be good to go ????

 

[icom]

anyone know what size the threads are ?? run a die on it should be good to go ????

anyone ????

 

[wood1]

I wouldn't worry too much as long as you can thread the new tie rod on. Smear some anti seize on the threads and you are good to go.

 

[icom]

I wouldn't worry too much as long as you can thread the new tie rod on. Smear some anti seize on the threads and you are good to go.

I did that....but then the more I thought about it...I just went ahead and changed the inner too..I still need to change the drivers side inner and do a "poor mans alignment" on it (the string method posted on here)..the steering seems awfully loose and there is a pretty bad banging on the drivers side hitting bumps like a bad ball joint,but there is no play in anything when I jack it up and wiggle/yank the tire back and forth and such:scratch:

 

[wood1]

Normally you have to pry to check ball joints, jack it up and pry up and down on the control arm.

I didn't mean to come across as though it's not important to make sure your tie rod threads were OK. There are a lot of threads on an inner so a few messed up ones on the tip aren't a concern, mind you I would never go cheap or take short cuts with brakes, steering and suspension. Saving a few dollars is not that important. When in doubt, replace it. Just like you did.

 

[icom]

ok,I'll do that later today when I get a chance;and awake.

The other thing I notice is it looks like both front wheels are leaning in at the top like this / \ ;the bumpers look like they hit the lower arms alot from the marks left on the arm