some questions around the wheel well

[archaeic_bloke]

hey, looking for some answers to 3 quick questions i had encountered tonight,

in the process of removing the steering knuckle... and thought i'd ask and wait before i broke something.

1) ABS sensor that plugs into steering knuckle, is it safe to just unbolt it from the knuckle.. and let id dangle? it seems to be magnetic... should i clean it? should i wrap a bag around it so it doesnt get dirt on it?

2) Tie rod -.... after undoing the castle nut and cotter pin... it doesnt fall out the bottom of the knuckle.. i gave it some force but didnt want to give it too much as im concerned about the rubber part on the bottom.... whats the best way to remove tie rod from knuckle with out damage?

3) ... 36mm nut for axle.. is that correct?



thanks guys.

[mcfly]

you can let the speed sensor dangle. just clean it and the hub when you are reassembling. It is an induction sensor so pretty hard to mess up.

for the tie rod you don't want to hammer on it as you could bend the rod or if you are hammering on the thread side it will mushroom. A basic two arm puller from Canadian Tire will work. There are designated tie rod separators though. often referred to as a pickle fork it will also be needed to separate the ball joint.

36mm sounds correct, it's the socket in my tool kit anyways.

[archaeic_bloke]

cool ill go pick up a pickel fork, i know the one you're talking about.

corrollary to that question though...

if i use the picklefork to seperate ball joints and tie rods... does it damage the ball joint or tie rod?... like am i gonna have to replace them? ... is there a risk of damaging the tie rod end or ball join when using this tool?

and how do you do it, just wedge it in between the 2 parts im trying to seperate and push?

[superdaveosbourne]

You may damage the rubber boot while separating them. Put pickle fork in between parts you want to separate and get a BFH. The 2 arm puller will probably work better and less chance of bending something from hitting it.

[Smokey89]

If you're replacing the tie rods, a pickle fork is the best option. Not reccomended if you're just seperating it from the knuckle, as you'll most likely tear the boot. Strike the knuckle with a hammer while prying up and it should slide out.

[anthony]

http://www.hungry-girl.com/sectionimg/3203picklefork2.jpg


http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-41500.aspx you can buy kits with different forks

[archaeic_bloke]

grrr... ok so i got everything off except 2 things for the wheel wells...

the 36mm nut on the axle WON'T come off!!... i tried maaad leverage on it, tried my electric impact gun... here is a photo of it....its the high amperage impact gun, so ive soaked it in WD40 and releasing fluid.... any advice?
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sbdpR7JpqcA/S2qM4DOWeII/AAAAAAAAAnk/0Hj-TfRE-jg/s640/IMG_5608.JPG

and of course that damn tie rod!! i can't get them out.. i went and got a new picklefork kit... and i wedged it in there like yall said...but grease came out and the boot got pushed down a few mm's... but it won't come free or budge?!.,.. any advice?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sbdpR7JpqcA/S2qM5Pli9RI/AAAAAAAAAno/zj61Cp66dAI/s720/IMG_5609.JPG

[mcfly]

that impact gun would be lucky to remove a lug nut. You need a breaker bar with a good 5 foot jackhandle or pipe over the top of it. They are really on there tight.

wedge it in there and then tap the top of the tie rod gently and they typically fall right off. if you had a 2 arm puller it would be easier but the one i use always falls off as it has loose legs.

[rb-racer]

You have to really hammer the fork into there, a little grease coming out isn't an issue, you can stick it back in with a tooth pick after.

[superdaveosbourne]

I had to remove the power steering box in my '03 F150, it took a pickle fork, a 10lb sledge hammer and almost an hour of me litteraly SMASHING the fork to separte the pitman arm from the steering arm. I hope it comes out easier than that but don't be afraid of hitting it hard.

Axle nut = ridiculous leverage, multiply whatever you've done by at least 2 and it will come off. Try and find some sort of heavy pipe that can slip over a breaker bar and go to town.

[archaeic_bloke]

alright, ill try those again tonight.. but i have some more questions about other stuff... and this..


how do you stop the axle from rotating when removing the axle nut!??!! thats the main problem....im having


also... i have both semi and full permanent loctite and also a jar of anti-seize... should i put loctite on things around the wheel well area? like ball joint nuts, lower table nuts etc... or should i put anti-seize? or put nothing?

thoughts? convention?

[mcfly]

get someone on the brakes with the wheel on the ground. All the nuts that are at risk of coming loose and bad things happening have cotter pins.

If you have a pulley puller you can pop them out with ease.
http://greatnecksaw.com/images/product_images/medium/25190.jpg

[archaeic_bloke]

brakes idea won't work, calipers are off, and the eletrical system and vacuum lines are all disconnected already...

any other possibilities?

[archaeic_bloke]

wooot wooot... i did it!... well not the tie rod. ive given up on those, but its fine.. im just leaving them connected...

i got the axle nuts off... took about 14 seconds of impact gun... surprisingly easy.. after soaking overnight in wd40

thanks for the help guys!.. done with this thread! im sure ill open a new one when the next issues arrive...lol

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sbdpR7JpqcA/S2upUGcdI2I/AAAAAAAAAoY/KW9DrXwfUig/s912/IMG_5611.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sbdpR7JpqcA/S2upWRzjliI/AAAAAAAAAoc/GwaHKjw-_6k/s912/IMG_5613.JPG

[Zacho]

Good to see you got it off.

Let it be a lesson for everyone. If your pulling the engine, break the crank pulley bolt loose while it is in the car(whether you need to or not). I learned the hard way as well.

[Rapier46]

for the tie rod, hit it repeatedly on the knuckle itself, where the tie rod goes through. DO NOT use a splitting fork. this will fuck it up.

[mcfly]

for the tie rod, hit it repeatedly on the knuckle itself, where the tie rod goes through. DO NOT use a splitting fork. this will fuck it up.

as compared to a hammer? :rolleyes: