Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Disconnecting the tie rod end non-destructively

Ok...If you want the tie rod apart real easy follow these steps and wear eye protection.
1.Loosen off the nut but do not remove it
2. You need 2 hammers, one large one, like a 3lb or so
3. Now brace the heavier hammer against the side of the arm the tie rod goes through.
4. Smack the opposite side of the arm with the hammer and it'll pop out like nothing. I have never used a prying tool to remove a tie rod or ball joint...And I have removed many.

Duh..never read all your post...sorrry.Are you sure your removing the tie rod and your not trying to remove the link? Mistaking it as the tie rod? The tie rod steers your car...and is connected to the pitman arm. If its the link your moving, it has a place for the wrench behind it and is just a lock nut. The tie rod has a castle nut and cotter pin. If the tie rod is turning, then its allready broken from its seat and you need to tighten it again...then loosen the nut keeping pressure down on it. If that fails to work, then the tie rod end is no good and you'll have to cut or grind the nut off and buy a new outer tie rod end.Just if you do get a new one you have to count how many turns when you take it off and make sure the new one is turned on exactly the same amount of turns...or you'll need to get an alignment later on.