[apex]

I just finished for the second time in as many years replacement of my steering rack. Good news it was under warranty, the bad news is that the labor was not! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I ran up against the same wall this time as last and I wonder if the wrench-turners on the board can help out.



What do you guys use to remove and replace tie rod ends?



Pickle forks ruin the ball joint boot, standard gear pullers dont' fit 'cause the ball joint is really close to the rotor (and I'm not sure a three-armed puller would work anyway).



Continental Imports



Pelican has this one - but it's targeted to 911's I think



Thought Paragon had one but can't find it...



ZDMac tools has the right separator - but in two sizes (18mm, 25mm) Which is right?



Also - the tool needs to be able to be used in reverse upon reassembly to clamp the ball joint firmly in the spindle to keep it from rotating while torquing the top nut.



I need to replace my ball joints next and refuse <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> to do this again without the right tool. Any recommendations?

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[mikeo]

I remove nut, use a cut-off wheel to cut the threaded stud just below the spindle, remove spindle with threaded stud from ball joint, pound the crap out of it to knock the stud out of the spindle. Then replace the ball joint. The pickle fork I tried did destroy the boot and did not separate the ball joint from the spindle.

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