Help! - I can't get the tie rod end off the shaft.

[yellowfiero]

I have another thread about replacing outer tie rod ends and ball joints. Ball joints were a breeze, and the right tie rod end came off without a hitch.

The left tie rod came out of the knuckle ok, but I can't get it off the shaft. I've tried everything I can think of.

I managed to back the nut off the end of the tie rod and up the shaft about 3/4" while the tie rod end was in the hole, hoping that by turning that nut clockwise, it would start to turn the shaft in the direction needed to back it off the tie rod end. I was unable to get the nut to do this, despite beating an open end 22mm wrench while it was on the nut.

I tried putting an open end wrench on the tie rod end, and another on the shaft where you can put a wrench on it, without luck.

I used PB blaster on the threads, but I don't think it helped at all.

I heated up the tie rod end with a propane torch with no results.

I tapped the side of the tie rod casing where the threads are with a mallet, with a mass on the other side, and that didn't seem to help.

Do I have to remove the inner tie rod and junk the whole thing at this point?
I don't have the special tools to do that, and the inner tie rod is okay.

I'm at wits end right now...

[LMP]

I think you are doing everything right....and you just need to insist a little more. I would not do it any other way....except I have an acetylene torch .....so if you can have some more heat...maybe borrow an extra propane torrch if that is all you can get...and use a pipe..well...two 16 inch pipe wrenches to boost the torque...and try to have the tie rod laid down stable on something at proper height so you do not have to manage holding it in place...just manage the torque....good luck....you'll succeed...and....at this point..going for the inner tie rod is NOT an option....just looking for more trouble.

[yellowfiero]

Originally Posted by LMP

I think you are doing everything right....and you just need to insist a little more. I would not do it any other way....except I have an acetylene torch .....so if you can have some more heat...maybe borrow an extra propane torrch if that is all you can get...and use a pipe..well...two 16 inch pipe wrenches to boost the torque...and try to have the tie rod laid down stable on something at proper height so you do not have to manage holding it in place...just manage the torque....good luck....you'll succeed...and....at this point..going for the inner tie rod is NOT an option....just looking for more trouble.

Okay, I'll try some pipe wrenches - haven't tried that yet, with some heat too. Will post results.

[yellowfiero]

Got it off!

I switched to map gas, held the flame on for 5 minutes... Squirted some WD40 into the end and started to torque while hot. I got it to make a small creak and budge all the smallest amount. Then it wouldn't go. Repeated the 5 minutes and WD, 3 times! finally, it started to come off.

From all the torquing, the shaft is slightly bent, and it was also a bugger to get off the jam nut because of that. I don't think the slight bend will affect its performance. I'm going to run a die to clean up the threads before I put on the new tie rod end.

Any other suggestions?

[96tsport]

If you used the pipe wrenches to get the tie rod off, good bet that it left gouge marks on the rod. I'd smooth out those gouges with a dremel type tool.

[yellowfiero]

Originally Posted by 96tsport

If you used the pipe wrenches to get the tie rod off, good bet that it left gouge marks on the rod. I'd smooth out those gouges with a dremel type tool.

what's the big deal with the marks? Will they affect anything except looks?

[96tsport]

Just an aviation thing, dunno if it has any bearing here.. You nick a prop (little stones, gravel strips etc), it's considered a stress riser that can lead to cracks & blades breaking away, so you regularly dress out all nicks.

A nick also has to be within limits, or the prop is considered unairworthy.

I've used pipe wrenches to remove tie rods that certainly left some nasty looking gouge marks.

[yellowfiero]

Originally Posted by 96tsport

just an aviation thing, dunno if it has any bearing here.. You nick a prop (little stones, gravel strips etc), it's considered a stress riser that can lead to cracks & blades breaking away, so you regularly dress out all nicks.

A nick also has to be within limits, or the prop is considered unairworthy.

I've used pipe wrenches to remove tie rods that certainly left some nasty looking gouge marks.

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