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Tie Rod End nut frozen..Help please! - READ ONLY

8 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2003 at 11:04 AM

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#1 of 8 Tie Rod End nut frozen..Help please! by steph_beer_me Oct 08, 2003 (6:27 am)
I'm trying to replace a wheel bearing assembly and am having a heck of a time with the tie rod end stud nut. I've got it about half way off, but now turning the nut only turns the stud (in the joint). There's a 8mm hex end on the stud taper which is now stripped (rounded) because of my heavy torquing on the nut. I've tried soaking the nut in liquid wrench for 2 days, heating the nut with a propane torch, lightly tapping with a hammer, etc. It won't budge without also turning the stud.   Can anyone think of anyway to remove this nut without damaging the stud? The nut itself is not stripped, but the stud hex end is.   Should I just get a nut splitter?
#2 of 8 You should just replace by zueslewis Oct 08, 2003 (8:16 am)
the tie rod end for less than $20, skip all the heavy work, and get a beer. That's my call..
#3 of 8 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 08, 2003 (9:42 am)
Yeah, just hack away and replace all the old and damaged parts with new or used. This doesn't seem worth the trouble.
#4 of 8 by alcan Oct 08, 2003 (12:41 pm)
Try using a c-clamp to force the tie rod stud back into the taperer hole of the steering arm to stop it from turning. If no go even with heat, take Zeus and Mr. S advice. Tie rod replacement will require toe to be reset.
#5 of 8 if the fastener end got rounded, you couldn't retorque it anyway by swschrad Oct 08, 2003 (3:01 pm)
it's unanimous, cut your losses and the part.   it has been alleged in many circles for years that use of a nut-splitter tool can salvage the stud it's frozen to. in my experience, a nut splitter has never stayed in place on the nut to wedge it apart, but has walked down to scar the nut further.   but I have used an analogue, using a hacksaw blade inside a broken-off pipe end, to cut to the threaded area, squeeze back the disintegrating pipe, and peel it out from the elbow or fitting I needed to reuse.   YMMV, and of course the second step in many of these "reuse a part" stories is to make another run to the store for the stuff you were trying to save.
#6 of 8 re:tie rod by vidtech Oct 08, 2003 (3:08 pm)
it appears the stud has already popped.you might try retightening the nut to specs to reseat the stud and then try to loosen it again.as stated,i would not spend too much time trying to save a twenty dollar tie rod end.good luck
#7 of 8 Follow-up for any future readers by steph_beer_me Oct 21, 2003 (6:42 am)
I was just about to cut the nut off and decided to try heat one more time. I decided that I would heat it 'til it just about glowed (about 3 minutes with a propane torch) and it worked. I also think there was a considerable amount of loctite on the nut, which melted off with all of the heat.
#8 of 8 Heat on the tie rod by jgmilberg Oct 31, 2003 (11:04 am)
If you heated the tie rod up you may have melted the plastic/nylon parts inside the tie rod body that allow it to move smoothly. I would still replace the tie rod it's a cheap part. The draw back is you will probably have to have an alignment done. I would rather have that done than have the tie rod pop while I am driving.

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