Track rod ends siezed - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

2savage · 10-30-2002, 12:50 PM

title says it all. Tried heat, no luck. The rack is installed already. Any ideas?

Tim Cronin · 10-30-2002, 04:21 PM

My .02
soak in penetrating oil overnight. Big wrench (vicegrips maybe?) to hold the tie-rod end and another on the lock nut. Should be able to break it loose. Last resort......upgrade to Flaming river rack and new tie-rod ends
TEC

2savage · 10-30-2002, 04:32 PM

No problem with the lock nots; it's the rod and the tie rod end that won't budge. I like the flaming river idea though apart from the [img]graemlins/money.gif[/img]

slapshot · 10-30-2002, 04:45 PM

If the penetrating oil/vise grip approach isn't enough, take the rack back off the car and clamp the rod "gutentite" in a vise. A wrench on the tie rod end should then give you enough leverage to break it loose. Worked for me on my rusty donor.

Good luck,

FrankenCobra · 10-30-2002, 04:53 PM

I used penetrating oil (PB Blaster), vice grips and a very BIG wrench. Sometimes a bit of temperature cycling with the old blue wrench helps too.

JasonD · 10-30-2002, 04:56 PM

Use a good air hammer and rattle on the tie rod to break the rusty grip the tie rod has on the rack. Then put a wrench or a vise grip on the rod and a wrench on the tie rod. It's what the pros use. (unless its really stuck, then heat is an option if you're going to replace the tie rod).

Jason