I've gotten the knuckle arm this far off, but can't get it off the last part. Does it just come off of the top of the bolt or is there something else to it?

 

take the tie rod nut off, then use a pickle fork to separate the arm from the tie rod.

 

I think I've already taken the nut off. I'm fairly new to all the terminology, but I'm learning. You mean the nut that is on top of the knuckle arm on the end that isn't free in the pic? You can't really see, but it's off (if that's what you're referring to). Thanks for the help.

 

The TRE (Tie Rod End) has a tapered end that wedges into the arm, you need to either wack the TRE down with a hammer or use a pickle fork to seperate it.

 

I don't have a pickle fork and I tried using something kind of similar, but it didn't work (just got some grease to ooze out of the joint. I've also tried beating on it a bit with a hammer and still no luck. I'll have to try more of the hammer method. Thanks for the tips.

 

If you have a propane(spelling) torch, heat up the threaded end of the TRE until the grease in the TRE knuckle starts to smoke. Then quickly hit the threaded end with a hammer to knock it out. Either use a brass bar, or leave the castle nut on the treads to protect them. If you have already banged up the threads dont worry, TRE's are farly cheap.

 

You can get a pickle fork pretty cheap, $10-20.

 

Pickle fork tends to ruin the boot on the TRE and the hammer method tends to mushroom the bolt end.

I have a small pitman arm puller that pops them right off with a few hits from an impact.

 

Probably time for him to replace the TRE's anyways

 

I have some tips on removing tie rod end type of joints below and X2 on the heating trick:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ringStabilizer

 

This is what happened to the pitman arm puller that I got today. I guess it's off to the torch.

I do not have an oxy acetylene torch, but I have one of those smaller propane torches. Would something like that work? I've got to get this thing off now b/c the stud is ruined. Beat the hell out of it with a 10lb sludge hammer with now luck. Looks like I'll be replacing the tie rod ends after all. lol.

It's not letting me upload any pics for some reason, but I'll try again in a couple minutes

 

well, there it is. It would come off so I tore it in half with my bare hands!!!!! JK, it broke while trying to remove the knuckle arm from the tie rod end.

 

lol tried a pickle fork yet? if you use the right size, it wont damage the tre like some say.


anyway, yea it will get it hot enough.

 

I have used propane torches before, but yours really seems to be on there. Good luck

 

I use mapp gas when I need heat, its worked well on TRE's in the past for me. Give it a few good wacks from the top with a 4lb mallet and it will pop right out, if you get it hot enough.

 

I honestly do not think the pickle fork will work. This thing is on there and on there good. I was able to brace the knuckle arm right next to the tre and I could it it as hard as I wanted with a 10lb hammer and still nothing. As you can see, it thrashed the pitman arm puller. I'll try the propane today, it seems this is all I have left.

 

I tried removing the old TRE on my stock steering this weekend while installing the crossover steering. I tried a pickle fork, hitting it from every angle with a hammer, and some heat. It did not budge, and I didn't feel like holding a torch to it for 10 minutes. So I just cut the tie rod

 

I should add though, that I have removed some pretty bad TRE's with a lot of heat from a mapp gas torch and good hits from a mallet, just keep heating it up until it pops. Don't give up

 

I won't. Don't worry about that. It's about to snow hear any my other vehicle has summer performance tires with rear wheel drive and front engine. I've got to make progress or I'll be stranded. ha ha

 

you will never know unless you try