Desperate inner tie rod help!!

[shoson]

Desperately seeking help!!! Well, just bought a 93 ATX which needed a little work. L/L control arm I thought was the worst ever (wound up having to cut it off) for such a basically easy job ... until now... Can't get the r/s inner tie rod off. Got the rivet out, but it won't turn. Searched the forum and read just anything I could find. Does anyone have any tips which would help?

 

[BenSwanson]

Do you have the tie rod tool from autozone?

 

[shoson]

Yes,I have the long socket. My first problem was the rivet. When prying it out the head broke off. I was going to try just to shear it off with some pressure, but instead turned the steering wheel all the way to the left to bring the right tie rod out further. Fortunately the rivet was on top and then with a new, sharp drill bit was able to turn out the rest of the pin pretty easily by hand. The drill bit had a hex end shaft, the quick connect type, and that let me grip and turn it pretty easy. The rivet metal was soft so it worked ok. However, the tie rod won't turn and I am using the tie rod socket. I sprayed it to see if that would help break it loose. No luck. The only thing I haven't tried is heat or an impact wrench which probably is not a good choice. I guessing that they used locktite along with the rivet. Neither I or my son (it's his car, I had a 94 red atx) have been able to get it off. Just real frustrating since this isn't that difficuat of a job, and right after I had so many problems with the control arm on the other side.

 

[93redATX]

shoson:
Yes,I have the long socket. My first problem was the rivet. When prying it out the head broke off. I was going to try just to shear it off with some pressure, but instead turned the steering wheel all the way to the left to bring the right tie rod out further. Fortunately the rivet was on top and then with a new, sharp drill bit was able to turn out the rest of the pin pretty easily by hand. The drill bit had a hex end shaft, the quick connect type, and that let me grip and turn it pretty easy. The rivet metal was soft so it worked ok. However, the tie rod won't turn and I am using the tie rod socket. I sprayed it to see if that would help break it loose. No luck. The only thing I haven't tried is heat or an impact wrench which probably is not a good choice. I guessing that they used locktite along with the rivet. Neither I or my son (it's his car, I had a 94 red atx) have been able to get it off. Just real frustrating since this isn't that difficuat of a job, and right after I had so many problems with the control arm on the other side.

Just FYI, get used to Loctite. Ford seems to have used it liberally on everything. If you're in the rust belt, it makes things that much worse, as well. Plan on jobs that should be quick and painless to end up consuming days either in a search for quality parts, or just in general labor drilling bolts out, splitting or grinding nuts off, etc.

Just the joys of owning a rust-belt car headbang

 

[shoson]

You're right about the seemingly quick and painless jobs, at least for these past two. Hopefully I'll get that tie rod off and it'll be worth it. I'ld hate to take it to a shop after getting this far with it.

 

[Electricat]

I just did tie rods and struts on my '95, I had pull ******* a 24" breaker bar attached to the tie rod socket to get mine loose. If you aren't using a big tool, get a bigger one!

I know what you mean about small projects turning into epics....this job I figured would take me an afternoon, it instead took all my free time for a week!

 

[shoson]

Just an update. Tie rods are done. A little heat goes along way.

 

[fricker66]

Glad to know you were successful in getting the inner tie rod off. I was fortunate with my original rods when they were removed earlier this year.

 

[MilTownSHO]

93redATX:
If you're in the rust belt, it makes things that much worse, as well. Plan on jobs that should be quick and painless to end up consuming days either in a search for quality parts, or just in general labor drilling bolts out, splitting or grinding nuts off, etc.

Just the joys of owning a rust-belt car headbang

lol Now where would you ever get that idea? shrug finger Ready for more fun Wednesday?

Even if you have a rust free car like mine that is now in the rust belt, its horrible in NO time!

 

[93redATX]

MilTownSHO:

93redATX:
If you're in the rust belt, it makes things that much worse, as well. Plan on jobs that should be quick and painless to end up consuming days either in a search for quality parts, or just in general labor drilling bolts out, splitting or grinding nuts off, etc.

Just the joys of owning a rust-belt car headbang

lol Now where would you ever get that idea? shrug finger Ready for more fun Wednesday?

Even if you have a rust free car like mine that is now in the rust belt, its horrible in NO time!

Yours is worse, though, because it's just surface rust holding the nuts on the studs. The inner structure hasn't had time to be weakened yet. Hopefully tomorrow morning goes well, since the only part that will be a bitch will be the one remaining end link on the driver's side. How does 8 o'clock tomorrow morning?