Tie Rod Pulling

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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 16:59:01 -0800
From: david fritzsche 
Subject: Ball Joint Puller--After I ruined a tie-rod end
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

> I did my own install and it took me 20 hours to install a Pro Comp lift on
> my truck. The only funny tool I needed was a ball joint puller.
> 
After I ruined a tie-rod end!!!! Which cost me $45.00 to replace. A
Toyota Lead Tech. that live's down the street from me was driving by and
I asked him what the secret tool was that they used at the shop (He
works at the Toyota Dealer in Roseville). He came back empty-handed and
said do you have a big hammer, he took the nut loose on the ball joint,
did not take it all of the way off, hit the side of the casting 2-3
times with a good lick and it popped  loose. Did the same on the tie-rod
ends. He said that is the tool all of the techs use and to make some
sort of art project out of the pickle fork I had bought. Scared the hell
out of me, but it worked and did not wreck anything. Good Luck.

David Fritzsche
1990 V-6 ex-cab

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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:15:09 -0800
From: James Brink 
Subject: Ball Joint Puller--After I ruined a tie-rod end
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

The real secret is to have another heavy hammer or sledge to "back-up"
the opposite side of the joint or rod end. I believe this allows the
object being striked to absorb the force of of blow better--the other
hammer directs the force back into the object. Works for me. Besides,
pickle forks just tear up dust boots on ball joints and tie rods...


Jim Brink--Toyota/ASE Certified Technician             '86 Std. Bed 22R
Manhattan Beach, CA                                32x11.50/15 BFG M/Ts
brinkjm@earthlink.net           
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TLCA# 6184/ Friends of the Mojave Road (FOMR)

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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 21:30:54 -0600 (CST)
From: gfrancis@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Greg S. Francis)
Subject: Ball Joint Puller--After I ruined a tie-rod end
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

>Besides,
>pickle forks just tear up dust boots on ball joints and tie rods...
>
>
>Jim Brink--Toyota/ASE Certified Technician             '86 Std. Bed 22R

This is the truth.  I tried to use a pickle fork to separate the tie rods
when installing my Rancho kit.  According to Toyota, you must purchase the
whole tie rod assembly to get a new boot.  Fortunately, Energy Suspension
sells them by the pair for about $2 (FWPW).  Now Jim, tell me, what do you
guys do if you destroy a customers boot?  Do you charge him for a new tie
rod end, or do you have a zillion of those things just floating around that
I can't get my hands on?
- -Greg

Greg S. Francis
University of Texas @ Austin
School of Architecture
gfrancis@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
TLCA Member #5558        

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