track rod taper joints

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

Hi all. Just doing the track rod replacement thing and am struggling to get the bugger out. Am I missing something or do I just keep walloping it from underneath till it comes free?
I have shocks and discs to do next so no one is sleeping tonight. 😜

jamesmartin · Sep 21, 2014

you dont hit the joint but the end of the arm it sits in closest to the joint, its held by a taper the shock breaks its hold

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

i have been tapping the the end of the thread right at the end from underneath. when you say arm, do you mean the rod or end? sorry, not a mechanic.

wammers · Sep 21, 2014

Directly on the end of the steering arm the taper is engaged in. NOT anywhere on the trackrod itself.

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

So you mean hit it where I have arrowed?

jamesmartin · Sep 21, 2014

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

It doesn't want to budge. Any other suggestions? I have only got it on ramps not a lift.

jamesmartin · Sep 21, 2014

it will if you hit it hard enough with a lump hammer or similar sized, presumably you have wheel off

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

I have only got it on ramps not a lift. i guess i will have to drive it off the ramps and take the wheel off. will it be ok as i dont think i will be able to put the nuts back on? i suppose the worse can only be that it comes out on its own?haha

jamesmartin · Sep 21, 2014

Gadgetz said:
It doesn't want to budge. Any other suggestions? I have only got it on ramps not a lift.

it will if you hit end of arm hard enough , ive never seen one not in 30 plus years and it is something i do regular

plumbfisher · Sep 21, 2014

Get TWO hammers and hit both sides of the tapered housing at the same time, hard. Resist all temptation to whack the nut or the track rod end itself! Then when putting the new one in, clean the taper and line it with copper grease. Then in a few years when you need to do it again it'll come out much easier. Good luck. Persevere and it will come.

Gadgetz · Sep 21, 2014

well, after alot of clouting and masses of colorful metaphors, it did come off. cheers. then i went to do the shocks and.....seized, rounded nuts!! how did i not see that coming? Well, back to the swearing it was and eventually, after what felt like an eternity with a junior hacksaw, the nut was off. Cheers for your help guys and please be online when i do the brake discs and FIP gasket.
:5bsmash:

jamesmartin · Sep 21, 2014

Gadgetz said:
well, after alot of clouting and masses of colorful metaphors, it did come off. cheers. then i went to do the shocks and.....seized, rounded nuts!! how did i not see that coming? Well, back to the swearing it was and eventually, after what felt like an eternity with a junior hacksaw, the nut was off. Cheers for your help guys and please be online when i do the brake discs and FIP gasket.
:5bsmash:

a good cold chisel is useful for stubborn nuts ,split along the center of a flat

StuckAgainSteve · Sep 22, 2014

I've never had a problem with a ball joint - but then I use the right tools for the job.

pwood999 · Sep 22, 2014

Same tool I use. Bought it in 1980 and it's still used !

Pete

jamesmartin · Sep 22, 2014

StuckAgainSteve said:
I've never had a problem with a ball joint - but then I use the right tools for the job.

yes a hammer the only problem with ball joint splitters is they tend to damage joint

wammers · Sep 22, 2014

jamesmartin said:
yes a hammer the only problem with ball joint splitters is they tend to damage joint

Agreed, a hammer in the right place is the only tool to use. At least if you have to refit the TRE.

pmallinson · Sep 23, 2014

plumbfisher said:
Get TWO hammers and hit both sides of the tapered housing at the same time, hard. Resist all temptation to whack the nut or the track rod end itself! Then when putting the new one in, clean the taper and line it with copper grease. Then in a few years when you need to do it again it'll come out much easier. Good luck. Persevere and it will come.

has nobody ever heard of using a ball joint splitter to make this job simple and also stop the chances of any damage to car parts or more importantly yourself ?:Cry:

wammers · Sep 23, 2014

pmallinson said:
has nobody ever heard of using a ball joint splitter to make this job simple and also stop the chances of any damage to car parts or more importantly yourself ?:Cry:

A hammer in skilled hands is far more efficient than any ball joint splitter.

plumbfisher · Sep 23, 2014

wammers said:
A hammer in skilled hands is far more efficient than any ball joint splitter.

One in each hand even more so...

track rod taper joints

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