spindle/outer tie rod end dillema

[97ranger22bronco]

I'm in the process of taking the spindle off to replace both the ball joints and for the life of me I can't get the outer tie rod end to release. I got a pickle fork in there which all it did unfortunately was tear up the boot (I need to replace it anyway, so no big deal). I tried heat and a sledge to no avail.

Any other ideas/tricks? I haven't hammered the top of the tie rod end for fear of messing something up.

 

[franklin2]

While the pickle fork does tear the boot up, I have never seen it fail to bust the joint loose. How many times and how hard did you hit the pickle fork? Frontend work is not easy, sometimes you have to get mad at it and really give it a good wack. The only thing that could stop you was if the pickle fork bottomed out in the joint. I don't see that happening unless the fork bent.

 

[97ranger22bronco]

Took your advice and applied a ton more force. popped right off. My next issue is that on the passenger side lower ball joint, the cotter pin rusted inside the castle nut where I can't grab the eye. Would drilling it out be the best way forward?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Took your advice and applied a ton more force. popped right off. My next issue is that on the passenger side lower ball joint, the cotter pin rusted inside the castle nut where I can't grab the eye. Would drilling it out be the best way forward?

I'd take the nut off, pin be damned. Then use a punch to hammer out what's left.

 

[97ranger22bronco]

Yep, that's the plan for tomorrow afternoon

 

[pjtoledo]

Yep, that's the plan for tomorrow afternoon

yep, pull harder and the pin will shear off.