tierod siezed up?

[ajbarnes1]

alright, I need to replace the bellows boots on my steering rack. I went and bought a ball-joint separator (pitch fork with beveled prongs). No matter how hard I hit that thing in, or hammer down on the bolt, I cant get it to come loose. Granted, I am a little sheepish at really hammering the bolt or the separator, for fear of f***ing up the tierod or ball-joint. Any help on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

thanks, andrew

[bodyman240]

Are you trying to get the tie rod end seperated from the spindle, or take the spindle off completely? If you are using that tool then you are probably going to need to replace the boots are the ball joint and tie rod end. That tool usually rips the hell out of those boots, at least it did to mine when I replaced the tie rod ends and ball joints.

If you are having trouble releasing the spindle from either of those joints remember to shove the tool in one side and nail it with a hammer until the fattest part of the tool is wedged in there. Then move to the other side and repeat, once you move to the other side it should pop off in one or two hits.

Don't be afraid to hit the end of the seperator real hard, your not gonna hurt anything.

[bodyman240]

Also, I forgot to tell you not to hit the top of the bolt because you'll end up compressing the threads and you will never get the bolt back on and you will have to replace the tie rod end

[Dattebayo]

um i would just use a air chisel with a small point in the center of the nut. Then you wont flare the end out at all. Oh and by the way, it WILL work.