Tie rod ends 41 WC

[Greg W 41 Dodge WC]

Changing tie rod ends for the first time in my 62 years (hey you gotta learn sometime). Once I have the castle nuts off, how do I remove the old tie rod ends? I’ve tried a few hard raps on the top of the bolt via a wooden block and sledge, but she ain’t budging. What am I missing? Thanks, as always, for your help. - Greg 

[Frank Gooz]

There is a "fork" that will split the two apart. one size for tie rods and a bigger one for ball joints. Put the nut on a few turns and smack it with a good size hammer.

Most all auto part stone should have one to buy or even rent.

They are not kind to the rubber dust covers.

Good luck!

 

[Merle Coggins]

If you don’t have the proper press tool, or a pickle fork tool, a couple good sharp blows with a hammer right on the outer perimeter of the eye (where the stud comes through) will usually loosen the bond and they’ll pop right out. 

 

I found this video on YouTube that helps explain it better.

 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by Merle Coggins

[Greg W 41 Dodge WC]

Thanks very much for your suggestions guys. I was able to free up the drivers side with a couple of sledge hammer blows but no such luck on the passenger side. I’m going to invest in a tool to try to press it out. 

[Greg W 41 Dodge WC]

The $15.00 puller worked ?. I have the tie rod assembly reinstalled at the correct length, but cannot find anything in my service manual that references the proper torque for the tie rod end castle nuts. Does anyone know this spec? 

[Solga]

I may be way off base here, but I have never torqued any kind of castle nut. My understanding was that castle nuts were supposed to be held on by some kind of cotter / keeper pin.

[ggdad1951]

I've always tightened till TIGHT untill you can get a cotter pin thru the hole and slots on the castle nut.  That taper can be decieving....tighter than you think than with a straight hole.

[Greg W 41 Dodge WC]

Thanks guys, I used the German “goodentight” standard with an extra umph to line up the cotter pin. Everything is back together and running well.