[4th Gen : 01-07]: Tie-Rod Replacement
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 56
From: Alberta
you can do just the ends.
I have dealt with rust living in the rust belt. use penetrating fluid and let it sit for 10minutes. Usually most will release with a quick snap of a big wrench.
if needed use a torch to heat the nut only...don't cherry it red as you want to minimize heat transfer into the inner tie rod end...the outer tie rod is junk so heat transfer there doesn't matter.
let everything air cool; do not quench anything with water.
crack loose the adjusting nut on the inner tie rod first before you remove the nut that holds the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
I have dealt with rust living in the rust belt. use penetrating fluid and let it sit for 10minutes. Usually most will release with a quick snap of a big wrench.
if needed use a torch to heat the nut only...don't cherry it red as you want to minimize heat transfer into the inner tie rod end...the outer tie rod is junk so heat transfer there doesn't matter.
let everything air cool; do not quench anything with water.
crack loose the adjusting nut on the inner tie rod first before you remove the nut that holds the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From:
First, heating should be your last resort. Rust penetrant and vibration work far better than heat and doesn't damage anything.
Read these two posts on the best way to remove a rusted fastener
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com...ted-fasteners/
Heating to cherry red is NEVER a good idea on any fastener. It removes the temper or the metal. And, on a tie rod end where it's connected to a steering knuckle, that's the last thing you want. The whole point of heating is to get some expansion to break the rust. Then you want to cool it to get the metal to contract so the rust penetrant can seep in and work. Heating till hot and then shooting with water is enough to shock the rust. Cool it and soak with rust penetrant.
Read these two posts on the best way to remove a rusted fastener
http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com...ted-fasteners/
Heating to cherry red is NEVER a good idea on any fastener. It removes the temper or the metal. And, on a tie rod end where it's connected to a steering knuckle, that's the last thing you want. The whole point of heating is to get some expansion to break the rust. Then you want to cool it to get the metal to contract so the rust penetrant can seep in and work. Heating till hot and then shooting with water is enough to shock the rust. Cool it and soak with rust penetrant.
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 56
From: Alberta
if something is really heated up, quenching with definitely change the temper. it will surface harden the metal and make it brittle. does it work to crack things loose, yes.
I do agree that heating suspension parts is a last resort and certain components should never be heated.
I do agree that heating suspension parts is a last resort and certain components should never be heated.
