Outer Tie Rod

Post by **shaker_chi** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 9:18 pm

Working on the suspension of the project car I picked up. It's a 1998 S70 and the outer tie rods are original. I released the ball joint fairly easily, but I am having a hell of a time separating the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod. Sprayed a lot of PB blaster on the joint, but it's difficult to keep it steady since I removed the ball joint. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciate.

Post by **kahl** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 9:44 pm

reinstall the ball joint. Use some heat from a torch. A pipe wrench comes in handy. Do you have the lock nut loose?

Post by **shaker_chi** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 10:06 pm

No, the lock not is still on there.

Post by **erikv11** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 11:45 pm

I agree: reattach the ball joint, heat and cool the lock nut until you can break it loose. Remember you can often break it loose by trying to tighten it, too. If you can, set up opposing wrenches on the inner and outer tie rod close together, so you can squeeze them toward each other to try to free up the nut.

Once the lock nut breaks free you may be relatively home free for unscrewing the outer tie rod. But you do have Chicago rust to contend with ...

Post by **FLXC90** » Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:56 am

or you can be proactive and replace the inner and outer as an assembly. (not cost effective if unnecessary, but ya know)

Post by **shaker_chi** » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:06 am

Thanks for the advice. I reattached the joint and tightened the lock nut. The lock nut didn't budge but it separated from the tie rod, which made it then easier to remove. The good thing is the lock nut stayed in the same position so I didn't have to worry about positioning. I measured it though after installation of the new one and it was spot on.