These damn tierod ends won't come off!

[Trigger Happy]

Ok so I'm doing the outters for my front end and cannot get the drivers-side tierod off. In the picture below I broke bolt 1 free, and took bolts 2 and 3 off completely. For nut 3 the center shaft that the nut comes off is still in there, but I don't see how you would take that out. I've soaked it in PB and banged the hell out of it but its not coming off. It does move up and down, just gets stuck before it will slide all the way down. Any helpful tips?

UPDATE: I got it our of the knuckle, but now I can't get the end to unscrew from the tie-rod. Follow-up question is it possible to remove the entire assembly without the special audi tool?

UPDATE#2: The end now just spins on the threaded shaft that attaches the end to the rod.

[Trigger Happy]

This is where I'm at now

[seanj130]

I think you have to punch that bolt out, then get a ball joint separator. or just beat down on it with a hammer, i think i used heat.

[Trigger Happy]

I think you have to punch that bolt out, then get a ball joint separator. or just beat down on it with a hammer, i think i used heat.

Have a ball joint separator, used it and it just gets stuck in this position.

[seanj130]

try a big pry bar. like a really long handle flat head.. did you ever slide that bolt out?

[CDesign]

place a longer bolt on the top of the bolt joint and use a hammer to punch it out.

[Trigger Happy]

place a longer bolt on the top of the bolt joint and use a hammer to punch it out.

Just tried using an extension and it doesn't budge past where it is in the picture. I can almost move it up and down within the knuckle by hand, it just won't go any further down. Does that stud bolt thing need to come out?

[mholme]

Yes it needs to come out. Try to take the load off of the tie rod ball joint and the retaining bolt by first making sure the tie rod is seated correctly. Then hit that bolt with a BFH and be ready to replace it.

[CDesign]

Just tried using an extension and it doesn't budge past where it is in the picture. I can almost move it up and down within the knuckle by hand, it just won't go any further down. Does that stud bolt thing need to come out?

Yes, that's the pinch bolt.

[Greedo]

From what I've done with a B6 you need to remove the bolt that has the threads facing you in the picture. There's a groove in the tie rod that that bolt sits through to lock everything in place.

That's on my B6 though, so I can't comment if that's the same on a B5.

[Greedo]

Observe..




With that bolt out it should drop right out.

[Trigger Happy]

Sweet thanks guys

[Greedo]

Sweet thanks guys

Let us know if that works. I want to not feel super dumb with our cars (if this is right).

[s2the4]

Just tried using an extension and it doesn't budge past where it is in the picture. I can almost move it up and down within the knuckle by hand, it just won't go any further down. Does that stud bolt thing need to come out?

When you say hammer you are using a mini 3lb sledge hammer right? not a carpenters hammer? the stud that is starring you in the face needs to come out to allow the knuckle to fully open so that the tapered part of the tie rod (that is still in there) can have enough clearance to come out! hope that helps!

[Trigger Happy]

Ok got the pinch bolt out and now I can't get the end off the rod.

[Trigger Happy]

When you say hammer you are using a mini 3lb sledge hammer right? not a carpenters hammer? the stud that is starring you in the face needs to come out to allow the knuckle to fully open so that the tapered part of the tie rod (that is still in there) can have enough clearance to come out! hope that helps!

I actually used a carpenters hammer. It came out with one medium hit. I just wasn't sure if that came out or not so I didn't wanna force it and break anything.

[Greedo]

Ok got the pinch bolt out and now I can't get the end off the rod.

So I know what I'm talking about for once?

[Trigger Happy]

So I know what I'm talking about for once?

Haha yep seems like it.

[Greedo]

Haha yep seems like it.

I feel spefial!

[gmann]

Observe..




With that bolt out it should drop right out.

Please GOD tell me you don't PRY between the slots to try to remove the TRE and Control arms?!

[*Blue-Angel*]

Yes I'm sure they have. Ever arm I've come across shows evidance that the slots have been expanded and are now mishaped.

[Greedo]

Please GOD tell me you don't PRY between the slots to try to remove the TRE and Control arms?!

I didn't, I just knew of that pic for a good reference.

[gmann]

I didn't, I just knew of that pic for a good reference.

That's a BAAAAAAD picture though. Puts horrible thoughts into peoples minds that don't know any better. My butthole puckers every time I see a pry bar shoved into the gap in a steering knuckle like that.

[AJ88CAB]

I've soaked it in PB and banged the hell out of it but its not coming off.

Its possible that the "banging" deformed the slot on the TRE shaft and it will not clear the pinch bolt bore. Push it up and look in the pinch bolt hole so you can see the slot. I bet the top side is expanded from the banging. It is a tight fit and if you were able to move the TRE shaft as much as you did in your first picture you probably deformed the slot. The top of the shaft has a hex head, put a hex wrench on it and try turning it and see if you can position it somehow that it will come out. If it is deformed too much the only other idea I have is use a small file in the pinch bolt hole to file the deformed edge of the slot enough that it will pass. Sometimes a BFH is not the answer:)

Good luck!

[Greedo]

That's a BAAAAAAD picture though. Puts horrible thoughts into peoples minds that don't know any better. My butthole puckers every time I see a pry bar shoved into the gap in a steering knuckle like that.

Haha. I understand. I just put a bar between the end and the arm and had to gently pry it out. Never had any issues and usually once I got it to pop down a little I could just pull it out.

[Trigger Happy]

Its possible that the "banging" deformed the slot on the TRE shaft and it will not clear the pinch bolt bore. Push it up and look in the pinch bolt hole so you can see the slot. I bet the top side is expanded from the banging. It is a tight fit and if you were able to move the TRE shaft as much as you did in your first picture you probably deformed the slot. The top of the shaft has a hex head, put a hex wrench on it and try turning it and see if you can position it somehow that it will come out. If it is deformed too much the only other idea I have is use a small file in the pinch bolt hole to file the deformed edge of the slot enough that it will pass. Sometimes a BFH is not the answer:)

Good luck!

The tie-rod end is out of the knuckle, I can't get the end off the tie rod now. I'm following this DIY. It says that it just unscrews, I just can't seem to get leverage on it. Does anyone know if its possible to remove the entire tie-rod assembly without the special Audi tool? I have the full tie rod assemblys from fcp and would like to replace the entire thing while I'm in there.

[BJ Thomas]

if I am understanding you correctly your saying the outer tie rod is seized to the inner tie rod. If that is the case you need to cut the outer off at the jam nut with a cut off wheel and then you can remove the boot covering the inner tie rod from the power steering rack. You can then see the inner tie rod. You will need a inner tie rod tool to remove it. I have one at work (I am an Audi tech) I can snap a picture of tomorrow for you. You may be able to rent one from Autozone or some other parts store. This is the easiest way to do this job when you have a seized outer tie rod end to the inner tie rod. I have done this job more then 100 times at the dealer and this is the most efficent way to do this job. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you need a picture of the tool.

[321eurotuner]

try a gear puller...worked like a charm along with, letting some pb blaster sit for a few minutes

[Dubluv11]

if I am understanding you correctly your saying the outer tie rod is seized to the inner tie rod. If that is the case you need to cut the outer off at the jam nut with a cut off wheel and then you can remove the boot covering the inner tie rod from the power steering rack. You can then see the inner tie rod. You will need a inner tie rod tool to remove it. I have one at work (I am an Audi tech) I can snap a picture of tomorrow for you. You may be able to rent one from Autozone or some other parts store. This is the easiest way to do this job when you have a seized outer tie rod end to the inner tie rod. I have done this job more then 100 times at the dealer and this is the most efficent way to do this job. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you need a picture of the tool.

you could use this special tool... or a really big adjustable wrench... and if you dont have an adjustable wrench you could simply just use a plumbers pipe wrench like i did hahaha... just be careful not to let the wrench slip and round the head of the inner tie rod or else you'll never get it off

but ya...those tie rod ends that go into the knuckle... the pinch bolt needs to be fully removed because if you look at the tie rod end...its got a groove in it where the part of the pinch bolt that is not threaded sits...to lock the tie rod end in place... therefore it MUST come out...just for future reference

[Trigger Happy]

you could use this special tool... or a really big adjustable wrench... and if you dont have an adjustable wrench you could simply just use a plumbers pipe wrench like i did hahaha... just be careful not to let the wrench slip and round the head of the inner tie rod or else you'll never get it off

but ya...those tie rod ends that go into the knuckle... the pinch bolt needs to be fully removed because if you look at the tie rod end...its got a groove in it where the part of the pinch bolt that is not threaded sits...to lock the tie rod end in place... therefore it MUST come out...just for future reference

Where exactly do you put the wrench to take the tierod off? Mine just turns freely.

[Dubluv11]

Where exactly do you put the wrench to take the tierod off? Mine just turns freely.

well see it should thread into the steering rack via a huge nut like thing...

http://www.034motorsport.com/oe-part...r-p-17928.html

enlarge the image on that page... the part on the inner tie rod that threads into the steering rack... you have to crack that loose to remove the entire inner tie rod from the rack... and just thread the new one back on and crank it down nice and snug... i obviously didnt use a torque wrench for that part so i just cranked it on there nice and tight

[AJ88CAB]

Please use two wrenches to counter hold the steering rack shaft.
If you just twist on the inner tie rod you can tweek the steering rack seal. You REALLY don't want to do that! See picture for what I mean.


[IMG][/IMG]

[Trigger Happy]

So the end broke free from the threaded shaft that screws into the rod. I really hate this car sometimes.

[belinko]

It's easiest to just replace the entire TRE assembly (inner and outer).

The control arm replacement is a bitch if it hasn't been done in a long time or if there is excessive corrosion.

[rarak69]

Wow, this is like a 20 minute job. I take it you dont work on cars much?

put the tie rod back into the nuckle, throw a screw in it to hold it. There that will hold the TRE while you throw a large wrench on the jamb nut. use PB blaster if you still have issues.

do not use any heat near or around the boot, it can melt it, then youll be replacing that, and its a little bit of a pain as the inner clips are hard to tighten down with rack bolted in.

[Trigger Happy]

Wow, this is like a 20 minute job. I take it you dont work on cars much?

put the tie rod back into the nuckle, throw a screw in it to hold it. There that will hold the TRE while you throw a large wrench on the jamb nut. use PB blaster if you still have issues.

do not use any heat near or around the boot, it can melt it, then youll be replacing that, and its a little bit of a pain as the inner clips are hard to tighten down with rack bolted in.

This is my first car and I haven't been working on cars for very long. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I'm just at school working out of a toolbox in my trunk, in the parking lot of my apartment complex. I'm also deftly afraid to break anything, especially bolts, as this is my DD and the wait time for an order around here is about a week.

[rarak69]

This is my first car and I haven't been working on cars for very long. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I'm just at school working out of a toolbox in my trunk, in the parking lot of my apartment complex. I'm also deftly afraid to break anything, especially bolts, as this is my DD and the wait time for an order around here is about a week.

ha been there before. just do what i said, ive done countless TRE's this way, never had a problem getting them off, and i live on the east coast as well.

[S4evr]

I'm bringing this back because I am having a hell of a time getting the pinch bolt out in order to drop the tierod end out of the upright.

the pinch bolt nut is off, but the pinch bolt itself is corroded in place it seems. I have soaked the bitch in PB for a few hours, several minutes with my snap on air hammer, and also a BFH. The pinch bolt will not move. Any bright ideas?

[aysix]

I'm bringing this back because I am having a hell of a time getting the pinch bolt out in order to drop the tierod end out of the upright.

the pinch bolt nut is off, but the pinch bolt itself is corroded in place it seems. I have soaked the bitch in PB for a few hours, several minutes with my snap on air hammer, and also a BFH. The pinch bolt will not move. Any bright ideas?

Same boat as you. I'm wondering how you got the air tool in that tight space? Maybe your nut is on the other side where the end of my bolt is.

[Timtheguru]

Try to spin that bolt with a wrench on it. Once you can spin it, it will come out.