Is this needed for tie rod removal?

[mf360]

I have read many threads regarding ball joint and front end work recently and I am wondering if a pitman arm/tie rod remover clamp (bolt style) is really needed. I read a post (read so many I forgot where) where a guy said it made the job easier. Comments welcome.

Thanks,
Mike

[01dakotaR/T]

are you removing the outer tie rods? you dont need the special tool. you can remove them with a hammer. smack the knuckle from the front where the tie rods are and they should just pop out.

[Bos-R/T]

Take bolt loose from tie rod and get you a BFH and hit the part of the spindle that the tie rod end is recessed in.Same with ball joint.I dont ever use those ball joint forks.If you do use them then you better replace the ball joint or tie rod end or the boot for it because it busts the boot every time.If you do the ball joint make sure you put a jack under the lower control arm so the spring wont kill you.

[WhiteRT]

Take bolt loose from tie rod and get you a BFH and hit the part of the control arm that the tie rod end is recessed in.Same with ball joint.I dont ever use those ball joint forks.If you do use them then you better replace the ball joint or tie rod end or the boot for it because it busts the boot every time.If you do the ball joint make sure you put a jack under the lower control arm so the spring wont kill you.

Our ball joints are riveted on....how do you go about getting them off with a BFH?

Todd

[Bos-R/T]

Our ball joints are riveted on....how do you go about getting them off with a BFH?

Todd

They are riveted onto the control arm.Im talking about where its connected to the spindle.Not the control arm.:biggthumpup:

[sunike32]

Our ball joints are riveted on....how do you go about getting them off with a BFH?

Todd

I think he's talking about just removing the ball joint from the spindle :rtfm:

Haha

[Bos-R/T]

I think he's talking about just removing the ball joint from the spindle :rtfm:

Haha

Yes I was just talking about getting it off the spindle.The control arm will need a good set of drill bits or better yet an air chisel if you have one.:biggthumpup:

When your ready to take ball joints off of spindle unscrew nut leaving about a half an inch of space and hit the spindle knuckle with a hammer.It will pop out from its seat and rest on the nut.Then put a jack under control arm underneath shock and jack up til tension is off the nut take nut off then SLOWLY let the jack down til the ball joint is out of the spindle.Then get you an air chisel,if you have one,with a good sharp chisel on it and chisel rivet heads off.If no air chisel then get you a set of good sharp drill bits and drill them out starting with a small drill bit and work your way up to a bigger one.Anyway im off topic.Sorry.:biggthumpup:

Anyway yes all you have to do is what 01dakota said.Thats the quickest and CHEAPEST way to get the tie rod ends off spindle.