Outer tie rod lock bolt... how do I get it out?

[jbird60]

I was planning on spending today changing out my front shocks, springs, and upper control arms, but I'm already bogged down in the initial steps. I've been trying to get the outer tie rod disconnected from the spindle, but I can't seem to get the nut off of the tie rod lock bolt. When I turn the nut, the nut and bolt are spinning together; this doesn't make a lot of sense to me as I was expecting the flat side of the lock bolt to butt up against the shoulder in the spindle to prevent it from spinning. I've tried getting a box wrench on the bolt head, but the head is so thin that I can't reliably keep the wrench on the head while I try to turn the nut. I've also tried getting a flathead screwdriver and a chisel-bladed punch wedged in to prevent the bolt from spinning, but it seems to be screwing up the aluminum in the spindle rather than holding the bolt in place.

Right now, the car's still sitting in the garage on jack stands with that nut soaking in PBblaster. I may give it another try in an hour or so.

Other than that though, any thoughts on how to get this nut/bolt combo out?

BTW, just for reference, here's the bolt in question: Link

Also, a picture of the assembly:

The nut in question is the one called out by the diagonal red arrow.

[thetikm]

I just grabbed the back part with pliers. I replaced it with a normal nut and bolt after

[old guy]

You need to hold in on the bolt head to keep the flat engaged in the spindle arm to keep the bolt from turning while you remove the nut.

[paul85]

Life is so much easier with an impact wrench.

[jbird60]

That's pretty much exactly what I've learned from this exercise. I ended up being able to get the strut assembly out without having to remove the tie rod bolt. It was a bit precarious but I think I made it work without incident.

Definitely need to get an air compressor for the garage at this point.

[rocket1420]

You need to hold in on the bolt head to keep the flat engaged in the spindle arm to keep the bolt from turning while you remove the nut.

This is what I do, but as you found out, it's not necessary for the particular job you were doing. However, those tie rods will go out at some point. Both of my inners were shot when I got the car at around 99k.

[Seerlah]

Before you go any further, see if you can take the pinch bolt out.

[diagnosticator]

With the pinch bolt tight, remove the smaller vertical bolt then remove the pinch bolt. The pinch bolt should hold the vertical bolt from rotating.

[storey618]

there is a flat spot for the pinch bolt head. impact would be easiest way but i did it by hand and just had to hold the bolt from the back. loosen tie rod upper bolt, then loosen pinch bolt, big hammer on pinch bolt. then the tierod should just fall out. i tried getting the tierod out for about an hour before i realized the pinch bolt actually had to be removed.

[jbird60]

So I got a new spindle installed this weekend. Ends up that the pinch bolt needed to be cut off. The shoulder upon which the flat of the bolt head was supposed to rest was completely carved out:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bz...zBrb21aZUprNWs

All is good now though :)