tie rods and ball joints question

[Moke81]

Fellow Pelicanites, are there any special tools required for ball joints and tie rod removal an installation?

I'm having to do this first time project all of a sudden when the (what was left of it ) ball joint slip out of the control arm. Luckily I was close to home when it happened and limped back to the driveway. What would cause this to happen? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Moke81
1981SC

[eurocarrera]

You need to have a good tie rod seperator to remove the tie rods. Tried the hammer thing - it was way to hard. Try Harbor freight tools, or Donsco in Belmont - it doesn't have to be Porsche specific. Good luck

[cbeers]

Moke, post a request for the puller, there are other Pelicans in the area that have the tool. I will let them offer though since it is not my puller. Makes a very quick and easy process using the tool though.......


-Chris

[Rick Lee]

You should try to find the tool for undoing the ball joint castle nut. It may not work and you may need a torch and/or Dremel anyway. You'll definitely need some combination thereof. When you pound the BFH on the pickle fork, try to hit away from the rack.

[cbeers]

For the castle nuts, an impact takes them off in two seconds

EDIT - Sorry! I was thinking of the tie rod ends......


-Chris

[Superman]

The ball joint tool is a POS, but is necessary for installation. Ball joints do not just fall off. Something was not installed properly.

Tie rods ends can be detached from the steering knuckle with a steel hammer. Rap on the steering knuckle. This temporarily deforms the conical hole in the knuckle and causes it to spit out the conical fastener that is part of the tie rod end. Steering knuckles are surprizingly robust, for a part that looks to be cheap cast iron. Rap it pretty firmly. Like with a two foot backswing.

[buttjoint]

You can spend the big bucks on the ball joint socket or do like I did and go buy a 14inch pipe wrench and remove the castle nut

[Moke81]

The lock plate and cotter pin are both missing, so what possibly happened for it to pop out like that.

[mmastro]

I had to change out my ball joint because the spot-welded cotter pin channel popped off. I lost it and the lock plate. I suppose the ball joint nut could come loose, but if it was impacted on, that would be a heck of alot of force to get the nut loose. I replaced mine 'cause it wouldn't pass tech for the track!

I spent the $40 for the tool and the $45 for the tie rod end removal tool (from Pelican)...It just makes it easier.

Cheers,
Mike

[greglepore]

First, the tie rod tool is nice, but not necessary. You can remove the tie rod with a few good blows with a BFH, but not down against the tie rod. Contrary to instinct, whack against the side of spindle. It'll come out.

For the balljoint, you can modify a 4wd hub tool, which can be found at any massmarket auto place for around 10 bucks, to work. Do a search here. Some folks use a jack for additional pressure under the impact wrench to keep it from slipping. Retorquing it requires a seriously big pull with a cheater or something.

[Moke81]

I don't have the socket tool for the large nut. I'm going to try the pipe wrench. If that does'nt work then a dremel tool, but what does it look like?

[jyl]

Moke you have a PM.

[jyl]

Oh, why do you need to disconnect the tie rod? Sounds like you're just replacing the ball joint.

[Determined]

I used a impact wrench on the nut and a fork tool to remove the tie rod. The fork required some hammering but both came out with a few swings, I upgraded to turbo tie rods. I had more problems removing one tie rod than removing the ball joints. Good luck, Alex

[Zeke]

Ball joint came out and you "limped" home? How? Did you have a couple people stand on the opposite side rear bumper?

[Moke81]

The left front tire was rubbing on the wheel well. The control arm was scraping the heck out of my Fuch, almost looks like lathe marks, hope I did'nt waste it.

[Moke81]

JYL, check your PM

[vash]

moke i got the tool to disconnect the tie rod end. no hammer and fork necessary. where in the bay area are you located? if close, i will run it by. i am in the east bay, concord.

cliff

[Nine9six]

Cliff,
Is this Chris Beers tool, or was he using yours? I would like to borrow it soon, if I may, (within the next couple of weeks)as I will be doing T-Tie rods, and ball joints.
Thanks,
Paul

[Moke81]

Vash, I'm in San Mateo, I need to get the tie-rod end off to replace the rubber cup that goes over it.