My TJ's been making a lot of noises when steering lately. To the point I could hold my cell phone out the window and the person on the other end could hear the grinding.After much checking, it seemed that the tie rod end at the drag link was the culprit. To be honest, I can't seem to finger it, but a buddy of mine crawled under there and swore that was the one. If it were left to me, I'd probably have to replace all of the ones on the passenger side.Anyhow, getting it out of the drag link just took a minute. Piece of cake. Loosened the retainer. Again, easy stuff. The problem is getting it out of the tie rod. I've got a pretty long pipe-wrench on the tie rod end and can't get it to come loose. Seems like the end is stuck in the tie rod. After playing around with the end itself, I just can't see how that's making the noise, though. I put it back (since I can't get it out!) and wonder if the noise isn't another ball joint. I think it could be the joint at the top of the knuckle (the part the caliper attaches to). I know if you shoot grease into that zerk it comes right out of the dust boot.Any thoughts? How do you get a tie rod end out when it's stuck like that? Honestly, this could be a lack-of-muscle issue, but I had good leverage.Eric99 TJ SE

Soak the threaded tie-rod end with a penetrant like PB-Blaster, Break-Free, or Liquid Wrench. Spray it a few times and let it soak in overnight, then see if you can't unscrew it. A pipe wrench is ideal but just a big set of waterpump (big) pliers will do it too. These kinds of parts are often stuck together so if you get it apart, be sure to apply a dab of antiseize compound on the tie rod threads before reassembly it. Are you sure the grinding isn't a bad u-joint or perhaps a bad hub?JerryEric wrote:

Hi Steve, They are on a taper, just holding them together offers enough dragto zip the nut on and torque it:

How do I get this tie rod end off?

Apr 03, 2005 24 Replies

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Steve 21 years ago

Thanks Bill....but don't these all show how to get them apart? how do they get together? Hammer?

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L.W.( Ãill ) Hughes III 21 years ago

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Steve 21 years ago

OH OK>..for some reason I thought they were in some sort of pressed fit thing...which is why it took so much force to separate them!

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Robb S via CarKB.com 21 years ago

you should have a chiltons for that thing to help you along. I would suggest that you spend $100 bucks, and take it down to shucks or the dealer and pay for a diagnosis and a quote. Then, go home and fix everything they said on the quote yourself! Good Luck!!

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Robb S via CarKB.com 21 years ago

les schwabb or any other reputable repair place. Schucks is for buying the manual...Robb

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