Tie rod stuck

[Surf Bus Driver]

Hi all. I'm struggling to get one of my tie rods out. I tried the hammer and Jack method, as well as using this puller, but the pullers tightening bar gave before the tie rod did. I'm thinking i need a stronger puller like this one
https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-and-pitman-arm-puller-63684.html
But Figured i should leverage the collective wisdom on here first. I'm finding it hard to get a good whack on the top of the nut given the interference from the shifter linkage

Thanks in advance
Surf bus mechanic (née driver)

[sgmalt46]

now with tension on it give her a wack sideway's . may pop it.
turn the castle nut upside down if you try to wack it from the top.
you will mushroom the nut and will have a hard time removing it.
or yes a better puller like the horrible fright one. most auto
parts places carry those. or a pickle fork.
Steve.
_________________
55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[germansupplyscott]

That puller in your link is OK for taking the drop arm off the steering box but it's not a good tool for what you're trying to do. The lever action type is much better.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

A little heat with a torch and a sharp blow with a hammer will help, while to tool is applying pressure to the joint. Be careful! If it's that tight it's going to explode when it lets go and stuff will fly everywhere.
_________________
SL

[SGKent]

put as much pressure on it with a puller that you can without it popping loose. Leave the nut on. Hit the eye with two hammers 180 degrees apart simultaneously.

_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[sgmalt46]

the one I am pointing to is the correct one . the other one is for a pitman
arm. i stand corrected. you can never have too may pullers.

_________________
55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[germansupplyscott]

The one you are pointing to above will work fine as long as it's big enough, but the lever one has a lot more uses and is much more flexible for what size joints it can tackle.
_________________
SL

[sgmalt46]

yes that is the one I use on all my vw's . small and good in tight places .
made me crawl under my bus Steve. lever one's work good too.

_________________
55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[SGKent]

I did it for a living like Scott does. I've had some that will not budge then two hammers and it is like instantly solved in one blow and 1/4 second. it takes two hammers, not one. the tie rod eye has to be between the two adult hammers. Two wood working hammers will work if one does not have machinist hammers. The eye deforms just enough during the shock to let loose, and it will with the puller going flying. Make sure the nut is still on or parts are coming at you.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Starbucket]

Smacking the side of the tie rod with a hammer where the taper go's through while applying pressure with the puller pop's them out.

[Abscate]

If you go the pickle fork route be prepared to replace the boot or the end
_________________
.ssS!

[sgmalt46]

his boot is gone . yes if the boot is good and your not changing the
tie rod yes you will ruin it. looks like he is not keeping it. hope not.
pickle fork is only if your going to replace it. caveman way of popping it off.

_________________
55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG

[raygreenwood]

[Wildthings]

A 3 or 4 pound hammer as a back up and a #2 pound hammer as the beater works well. Not living in an area that uses road salts, that is all I typically need, one hit and its free.

The tool Scott mentions works well.

[Surf Bus Driver]

Harbor freight puller was too wide but Napa had this winning puller. The rod is free!

[raygreenwood]

[Abscate]

You definitely need shock to break these free, brute pressure will usually deform the tool of fastener before success. Put some tension on with the puller, then rattle them a bit.

Great tips on pickle forks and seals above from Ray
_________________
.ssS!

[raygreenwood]

[Abscate]

It’s also not the “heavy blow” thst pops them out but the sharpness of the strike. There’s cool physics in this
_________________
.ssS!

[SGKent]