Help with tie rod end removal

[FiatRG]

So after a few hours and a can of pb blaster I finally got the center link out to get the replacement in. How hard could the tie rods be? I mean they are right in sight and leverage is a no issue.
Well, here I am a few more hours and another can of pb blaster in and these suckers won't budge. I honestly think this pickle fork will give before they do. Is there a trick to these? Please help, any suggestions or advice appreciated.

[garion]

Get one of these, its what I used. Took less than 5 minutes.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarte ... 99849.html

[FiatRG]

Thanks John! What a PITA these are. Anything needed to get the new ones popped in?

[FiatRG]

Wow. That made things much much simpler
Thanks again John.

Now it seems I cross threaded one side of the tie rod end.

[bradartigue]

Wow. That made things much much simpler
Thanks again John.

Now it seems I cross threaded one side of the tie rod end.

If you cross-threaded the tie rod end then buy another one. Cheap and not worth the risk of thinning the material to recut the threads; if they come undone when driving then, well, it's not fun.

[FiatRG]

Wow. That made things much much simpler
Thanks again John.

Now it seems I cross threaded one side of the tie rod end.

If you cross-threaded the tie rod end then buy another one. Cheap and not worth the risk of thinning the material to recut the threads; if they come undone when driving then, well, it's not fun.

Thanks for the input Brad!

Yea, new tie rod ends just would not thread in to the casing. Tie rod ends are good so I ordered a pair of new casings (can't remember their names at the moment). Also have some new upper control arm bushings on the way, noticed those are gonzo. Lower seem to be in acceptable condition.

Got some redline diff fluid and red line MT90 trans fluid. in her while I wait.


Ran thru the gears with her on the jack stands. Shifts are definitely smoother but 2nd and 3rd don't always want to engage. *Sigh* hopefully not a bigger issue lurking and was only the case because no load.
So plan is bushings, finish the tie rods, tire balancing, then to my race doctor for alignment and I'll have that part of my garage back for the time being.

Trying to have fun with the project since my track car is being neglected at the moment. Will feel good when my cousin picks his car up and drives her home after some pampering.


Edit: Any suggestions on the best (read cheapest) place to get an entire rear tail light assembly?