Boxman Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 I'm in the process of replacing my whole front end, and I'm stuck at the tie rod ends. I can't seem to get the locknut loose. I've sprayed it with lots of WD40, used extra long wrences (~40-50 cm) but to no avail. I heard that heating them might get them loose? How do I do this? I've got ye old standard gas torch (one of those blue cases with a handle and a knob for gas regulation), will that do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survolvo Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Try some PB blaster, if that doesn't help than the torch works good. Heat the nut your trying to loosen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINN Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Any access to air? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsterns Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 What usually happens with a worn tie rod end, is that the entire ball portion will spin with the nut equaling frustration. Some will have an allen key provision to hold it while the nut is loosened. Some have an area below the threads that you can clamp with a vise grip in order to hold while loosening the nut. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survolvo Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I think he is talking about the nut that holds the outer to the inner in place and tight. But yea, by taking the outer rod off, you won't even need to mess with that nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikv11 Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 You say "whole front end" so are you doing the inner tie rods too? Will it work for you to just unscrew the inner at the rack. Won't help in getting the dust boot off though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 With "whole front end" i meant the tie rod ends, control arms and wheel bearings. Suspension and endlinks already got replaced not too long ago. So I'm not replacing the inner tie rods, they have to stay on there. I do have air, but I can't apply air tools on a bolt that's in the middle of a rod. I'll see if they loosened up by now, and if not I'll use my torch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikv11 Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 if it comes to it, you can always use a nut splitter on it then pick up another nut. Nut splitters work great, don't damage threads. You'd need this style http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_nut-splitter-otc_17631676-p? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsterns Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 With "whole front end" i meant the tie rod ends, control arms and wheel bearings. Suspension and endlinks already got replaced not too long ago. So I'm not replacing the inner tie rods, they have to stay on there. I do have air, but I can't apply air tools on a bolt that's in the middle of a rod. I'll see if they loosened up by now, and if not I'll use my torch. Keep in mind that the theaded rod you are refering to IS your inner tie rod. The outer theads onto it, and is locked in place by the Nut that butts up against the end of the outer tierod. If you torch the nut, you'll FUBAR your inner tie rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxman Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Please explain to me why I'll destroy my inner tie rod by heating the nut? I did just that. On the passenger side, the nut came loose and so did the tie rod end. On the drivers side, the nut was stuck too much but after a lot of trying, the tie rod end came loose. Didn't touch the nut afterwards. Everything seems to work fine now. So I'm not sure what you're referring to, as to why I'd fubar my inner tie rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsterns Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 M Please explain to me why I'll destroy my inner tie rod by heating the nut? I did just that. On the passenger side, the nut came loose and so did the tie rod end. On the drivers side, the nut was stuck too much but after a lot of trying, the tie rod end came loose. Didn't touch the nut afterwards. Everything seems to work fine now. So I'm not sure what you're referring to, as to why I'd fubar my inner tie rod. My bad, I made the assumption that you were going to cut the nut with your torch, glad you got it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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