Tie Rods

[QuickSilver 0]

How to remove them easily from the strut? Is there a trick or do I have to own a or Tie rod puller or "Pickle-fork" Is there another safe way to remove these, thanks guys.

87 e30 320i.

Cheers,

Alex.

Edited April 19, 2008 by QuickSilver

[hotwire 352]

Without access to specialist tools - Use a FBH (..... big hammer) & with the nut loosened - a sharp "accurate" impact blow to the outer strut mount for the joint - or better - use a drift to hit to save possible damage from a wayward hit.

They usually come without much hassle. If not - a bar to lever downwards while impacting it.

[QuickSilver 0]

yeah but I plan to re-use it and I dont wan to damage the rubber boot or am i dreaming here?

[Boost Junky 1]

Shouldnt damage it as long as you dont smack the rubber boot or the thread on the Tie Rod End... for peace of mind i leave the nut on the Tie Rod end but just loosened right off to save damaging the thread.

[bimmer boy 21]

Pickle folk haha

Edited April 19, 2008 by RJS

[323e30 0]

Dont hit the tie rod at all, just take the nut off completely and use a hammer to hit the actual strut where the tie rods bolt (thread) is going through it. just do that a few times and the impact should just shock it out. You should need to use anything to priy it out either. Not with much force anyway if at all.

When it comes time to put it back in, put a jack under the tie rod where the bolt part is so you get some upwards pressure onto it on the strut. Otherwise the tie rod bolt will just spin on you.

[Venatus 2]

Alright, I did that today, it took quite a few good HARD hits, I dont have a BFH, only a small hammer for hitting nails etc, not ripping out suspension components that have probably been seated where they are for at least a decade...lol

[QuickSilver 0]

Pickle folk haha

lol thanks Ryan, looks like its gonna be the 'ol hammer technique after all.

[hotwire 352]

Yes, I was meaning leave the nut loosened but still on. Impact the strut mount - not the tie rod itself, use a heavish hammer for strong sharp impact & if possible use a drift to hit - to save damage from an inacurate swing.

I have always removed them like this with no dramas.

[tcbaurpower 5]

lol thanks Ryan, looks like its gonna be the 'ol hammer technique after all.

Hello Alex,

Hold off on the hammer happy job. I just got one off yesterday using a tie rod splitter which is a really simple tool that only cost $25 at super cheap or similar. It has a split fork that goes either side of the tie rod bolt under the strut and an arm that sits on top of the bolt, these arms are on a pivot and are forced together by tighting a bolt and after only three pulls on the rachet off it came. So easy and i havent damaged anything.

Thats my experience with tie rods anyway.

Regards,

Adam

Edited April 21, 2008 by tcbaurpower

[CamB 48]

I now use a hammer, after getting similar instructions a few months back. Don't miss (or use a drift), and hopefully the others have made it clear you're hitting the strut perpendicular to the tapered part of the ball joint - not any part of the ball joint or tie rod itself.

Sometimes you have to hit it pretty hard... and/or some leverage.

[QuickSilver 0]

Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it!

Alex.