Thinking that this was an easy get it done "in-an-hour-before-work" type of job (haha yeah right) I tried to get my old tie rod end off this morning. Problem is the rod won't come out of the adjustment nut. It simply will _not_ budge. Trying to get 1 out of 2 in the picture below. Do I have to remove from the inner tie rod, and put this in a vise to get it out? Is this normal?

 

Yeah its normal for the outer tie rod to freeze up. Soak that POS in PB blaster or better (if you can get it) over night then try to break it free. MAC and Snap On tools makes a clamp type tool that goes over it that you can use with a breaker bar that always gets it off but it costs around $100, so try the PB blaster first.

 

You might have to heat it up with a torch

 

I used both...lots of PB Blaster and MAP gas. Be careful not to burn up the inner boot. You'll still need to get a wrench on there, and I used a pair of REAL VICE GRIPS to hold the tie rod end by the threaded partand break it free from the inner. Don't give up.

 

ya a whole crap load of peanut butter blaster should do it. that looks like the driver's side. you get more room to work if you turn the wheel all the way to the right. when you put the new one on, put some grease on the thread you can see after you put it on. have fun haha.

 

update: PB Blaster FTW!

I put some on there on friday morning, tapped on it... put more on... tapped on it. This after noon more PB Blaster and more tapping and it let go.

Now I just need to track down a 17mm hex driver and a more manly torque wrench so I can do the CV boot repair.

 

autozone sells the 17mm allen driver thingy. it comes in a package with 2 others. some autozones also sell electric impact wrenches.