Tie Rod removal problem

[closhedbb]

I'm stuck here. I'm attempting to swap the tie rod on my XJ because mine got bent really bad. But I'm having trouble getting the nut off of both ends, where it connects to the driver side and the the Y joint. (See pics)

The nuts are not coming off, because when I turn them, the bolt turn with them, but I can't brace the bolt because on the other side it goes into the joint. Any body have any ideas how I can get this darned thing off? I've tried spraying it with PB blaster, etc, but the whole bolt turns so easily, I would have to brace it to get the torque I would need. Help!

 

[RockMonkey]

Use an impact wrench. That will usually spin the nut off.

 

[Jeremy]

i just recently had the same problem, this worked for me.

put a pipe wrench on the tie rod and give it a good twist, that should give you enough tension on the tie rod end that you can spin it off with an air ratchet or an impact gun.

just my .02

 

[BioNuke1]

Use a nut breaker?

 

[closhedbb]

Is this normal?

Does anyone know if this is normal for a tie rod? Or does this mean there is some sort of problem? Because the replacement tie rod I have to put on apparently is doing the same thing, where the bolt can turn. I would think it would have to, because a functional tie rod needs to have some freedom of movement...

Unfortunately I do not have an impact wrench, nor do I know anyone who does. And I would hate to have to go to a shop for something as simple as this...

 

[jamesgeologist]

You could jam a pickle fork in there and then ratchet the nut off while you pry on the pickle fork. Just a thought?

 

[footin fool]

You could jam a pickle fork in there and then ratchet the nut off while you pry on the pickle fork. Just a thought?

This works really well. I had to do it on Behind the rocks a couple of weeks ago. Just get something to pry up on the rod. ya that sounds good
Really it dose work

 

[Badcop]

If your puting it back on, place a bottle jack underneath the tr end and then tighten it down.

 

[closhedbb]

I got it! Well, I was able to get one end, then just twist off the tie rod and use one of the original joints, the one I still couldn't get off. Thanks to Gs_Jeep, I had a stock tie bar ready to be put on, and put it on. The idea of using the bottle jack to put some pressure on the rod worked. I jacked the bottle jack up on the rod close as possible to the joint, put some pressure on it, and with some work it came loose. I'm back in business! Thanks everyone.

I plan on putting a whole new system down there in a couple months, so it just has to last until then... *knock on wood*

 

[JIM]

I used vice grips the other day instead of bottle jack. Worked great .