Ace77

Got new ones in a kit.
It was easy enough to Get one side off, but now I can't grip the bar well enough even with vice grips to get the other out.
I tried putting the new one in the other end and threading to the end, but it didn't seem to want to stop.
I'm worried about ruining the threads on the open side.

Any suggestions?

Gator81

Hey, Ace,
I'll start this off like I should all my posts: "I'm no expert, but..." I have done this job a coupla times... :)

Sounds like the threaded part of the t.r. end is rusted to the threads in the sleeve. So, I would deal with it like any other rust-stuck parts that I didn't want to throw away - spray Liquid Wrench penetrant (yellow can!) onto the threads that were visible through the slot, then heat it up with my little propane plumber's torch, then spray the L.W. again to cool it down and get more penetration. Then start to put some twist to it.

You've got the clamp off it, I presume. So that slot and the threads should be visible. It just needs some lubrication and some cycles of heat/cold to break it loose.

There's a tool that is intended for turning those sleeves - it has a hook that goes into the slot. That will keep you from ruining the sleeve with vise-grips. If you can't find that tool, you might try putting the sleeve in a bench vise between to pieces of soft wood, and then turning the old t.r. end out with a big wrench, like a pipe wrench. Just be careful not to overclamp the sleeve - you can bend them (it's hard to do, but it can be done!).
Good luck! :seeya

daily_driver

did you get the cheaparse stock tie rod ends and sleeves???

i suggest you upgrade to the heavy duty tubular one from vette brakes....

e3pres

I put the tie rod in a bench vice with the v-shaped inserts for pipe. Then I used a tube (I think it was a jack handle or something similar) to turn the tie rod end out of the tie rod itself. Don't forget to loosen the jam nuts. :D

Good luck,

LAvetteman

I had the same problem when I changed my outers. Passenger side came easy but the driver side wouldn't budge. I soaked it with AEROKROIL and put a PIPEWRENCH on each side. With MUCHO EFFORT it finally came.

JerryM

Eastwood sells these, one of the "worth a million when you need'em tools" :chevy


[Modified by JerryM, 5:42 PM 12/17/2001]

WATTAC

Are you aware that one end of the tie rod "tube" has right hand threads and the other has left hand threads? You may be trying to "tighten" one end.

Just a thought.

Andy