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My front tie rod ends are shot. The rubber is cracked and it's time to replace them. I bought the oem ends, but I can't get the old ones off. I can bust it loost from the strut assembly, but can't get the end off the rod. What am I doing wrong? Is there a secret or trick I don't know about? Please advise and thanks in advance

 
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You have to loosen the nut behind the t.r. end then you should be able to unscrew the t.r. end.

 
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When I do that the whole rod moves...

 
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Here is the tool you are supposed to use...



or using a hammer hit the side of the strut where the tapper is and the tie rod will pop lose. DON'T hit the threads of the tie rod!!!!!

 
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Pick up the tie rod seperator tool to make it easier on yourself- usually can be rented from auto stores for cheap. If you cant find one, hit the strut's arm with a good 30-40 wacks from a hammer and it should come out. But dont hit the threads on the TRE if you plan on keeping it because you'll never get the nut back on with all the mashed up threads. I speak from experience.

 
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I can second to that experience

 
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1) put the tie rod end BACK into the steering arm and put the nut back on it
2) Loosen the nut on the back of the tie rod end
3) Pop the tie rod end out and take off old end and put on new end.
4) Repeat

The key is that the tie rod end MUST be in the steering arm for you to loosen the nut behind the tie rod end.

 
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Ahhhh...Thank you! I was trying to do that when it was already OFF the steering arm. I feel dumb

 
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no no no... I had this problem too. the tie rod end can and will freeze/rust weld to the tie rod. If this happens, you're basically SOL and you'll have to replace the entire tie rod from the rack outward. We couldnt get it off with anything.... PB blast, even a blow torch wouldnt knock it loose. Its a total pain in the *** since they leave you no room to do it with the big *** wrench you need to undo the nut.
Have fun with it.
And when you put the new one on, slobber that connection with antisieze.

 
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mine were a PITA to get off when i had to replace them. i ended up using a huge *** pipe wrench and eventually got them off.

 
Rep Power: 412

reading > you

He never undid the nut behind the tie rod end.

 
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Yeah...That ****** F'er isn't moving...I'm assuming lefty loosey????? I'm going to take it to a shop. I'm doing the lower control arms too. I already have the parts

 
Rep Power: 412

You want to think opposite. If you are facing the nut, then you have to turn it towards the car so you want to turn to the right.