Tie rod end allen screw stripped

dartfork · Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:59 pm

Hi,
Has anyone else had this problem:
The Allen head part of the tie rod end stripped out. How can I get the nut off?
Any solutions?
This happened on both sides. I even sprayed the nuts with WD-40 beforehand; and these components were taken a part only a year ago. So the rust build up shouldn't be that bad. There is still a little bit of the "allen head hex shape" left.

FocusMech.73155 · Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:04 pm

Take a pry bar or a long pipe and pry the tie rod into its hole. Its tapered so the harder you push it into the hole, the more it grips. If you have an impact gun, just zip it off, but if you are working with manually powered tools, maybe have someone put all their weight on the bar
Dave

closetfordfan · Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:48 pm

dartfork · Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:20 pm

FocusMech's method worked. I used the floor jack to put pressure on the tie rod end. The "+1" method wouldn't work.
Plus +1 MM is a big step and none of the standard (English) sizes are somewhere in between.
Now if I could only get the control arm off! I need some special Torx socket.

FocusMech.73155 · Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:20 pm

what size torx do you need for the lower control arm? if you know the size and swing by tousley ford I would gladly lend you one of mine
Dave

Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:46 pm

I think it's a T-55 on the pinch bolt.

My method of removing end links revolves around not reusing them. I just pop the link off it's ball stud and then use a visegrip to hold the ball stud while I take the nut off.

Of course the new style end links have a spot to put a wrench between the end link and the bar but it requires a relatively thin wrench to fit.

Erik · Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:51 pm

The brake kit from Checker's (that you can rent for free) has the Torx in it, FYI.

closetfordfan · Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:44 pm

dartfork wrote:FocusMech's method worked. I used the floor jack to put pressure on the tie rod end. The "+1" method wouldn't work.
Plus +1 MM is a big step and none of the standard (English) sizes are somewhere in between.
Now if I could only get the control arm off! I need some special Torx socket.

If you are referring to my +1, I was saying, I agree fordmech. I apologize if my response was confusing

Patalrob · Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:52 pm

closetfordfan wrote:
dartfork wrote:FocusMech's method worked. I used the floor jack to put pressure on the tie rod end. The "+1" method wouldn't work.
Plus +1 MM is a big step and none of the standard (English) sizes are somewhere in between.
Now if I could only get the control arm off! I need some special Torx socket.
If you are referring to my +1, I was saying, I agree fordmech. I apologize if my response was confusing

I got it!