2014 TXT - Removing Ball Joint and Tie Rod

[zero26tb4u]

Trying to install a new drop spindle kit and need to remove the ball joint and tie rod. Can I do it without any special tools?

Didn't want to damage it before getting some advice.

Thanks.

[cgtech]

Smack swiftly here once with a ball peen hammer & it'll pop out. Hope this drawing works, it's my first attempt with a new phone that includes a pen in its arsenal.

[zero26tb4u]

Originally Posted by cgtech

Smack swiftly here once with a ball peen hammer & it'll pop out. Hope this drawing works, it's my first attempt with a new phone that includes a pen in its arsenal.

Thank you. I saw that in a video and didn't understand why it worked but I'll give it a try tomorrow.

What about the rack ball joint? Do I need a fork?

[cgtech]

No "fork", just a hammer. The fork shreds the boot & puts tons of stress on the joint, making it questionable for reuse. That part inside the suspension arm is also "cone shaped", and striking the arm briefly distorts the "cone" it lives in, popping it out. All without murdering the boot, or putting stress on the internals of the swivel part of the joint.

I only use the fork on parts I have zero intention on reusing. If you can use an air hammer, it'll go so fast, you'll forget the fork ever existed.

[zero26tb4u]

In the video I saw, they used a fork on the rack ball joint (left in the picture) and used a hammer on the tie rod end on the right of the picture.

The ball joint on the left should also loosen up if I whack the spindle in that area?

Thanks.

[Cobra,1]

Do not smack the threaded end of tie rod as it will ruin threads.
Most all times hitting the arm where the picture shows works. Soaking with wd 40 or similar can help pop it out before smacking with hammer
Can also use a gear puller to remove but if doing so protect the threads
With a socket.

[zero26tb4u]

I let it soak with PB Blaster overnight and I was able to get the tie rod off. It took about 5 whacks, so it was on there. Haven't attempted the steering ball joint but I'm hoping it will also break loose using the same method.

Thank you everyone.

[DaveTM]

When I've gotten frustrated with removal like that, I've put a piece of wood (hardwood works best) over the thread ends and whacked the wood. That usually works.....sometimes the wood splits, but I've never damaged threads using that method.