Any good tips for getting a stuck tire rod end to release? I've beat and banged on it all day, and it just won't budge. This time around it doesn't matter much if I mess it up a bit, but the next one I do will have to not be hurt at all when I take it off. Hopefully it will not be as bad either, since this one is on a car that's been sitting for about two years and not been moved.

I get kind of a practice run before I get to the important one.

 

You mean at the knuckle? I find using a tie-rod separator tool (puller stule) To be well worth it. No beating on it.

 

Funny you should say that, it's what I went and bought this very evening.

I tried getting the guy behind the counter to look up the axle nut size so I'd know what socket to get for it. Lazy feller wouldn't do it. He wouldn't even try to do look it up. It's like you say the word Saab in those stores, and the people automatically shut down any thought.

I was just trying to save a trip back to my parents house. I left a lot of tools there back when I moved. I didn't think about it being the Easter Holiday though, and being up there anyway. So his laziness saved me a few bucks on something I already have anyway. That stuff has been left there for so long though at my parents, I'll be lucky to find it.

 

I'm pretty sure my parents still have the starter I took off from my old caravan back in 1998...

 

You can also try Autozone for the puller tools they rent them for "free" (you pay deposit returned on return of tool). You didn't specify which part was stuck, so I'm assuming it is the through bolt on the tie rod to the wheel. A ball joint seperator tool or pickle forks are the way to go. Remember that if the seperator is used, TRY (doesn't always happen) to stay clear of the path of the joint if it is in tight enough to really require cranking on the remover.

 

the fork tends to destroy the rubber boot...I try to not use them for that reason.

 

I don't like using the fork type tools either. I never could use one without destroying a boot.

We don't have an Autozone to rent tools from here either, the closest one is about an hours drive away from me. We do have an advance auto, they rent tools, but they are horrible to deal with for anything.

Not to mention, I just like having my own tools for just about everything. If I could afford a lift, and tire changer/balancer, I'd even have those put in. I love being able to work on all my own cars, and not have to worry about borrowing/renting. Sometimes it's just not affordable though.

 

If I had a place to put a tire changer....you know you can get one for like $300 used?