Dream Weaver 2 Posted April 18, 2007 Done a search on this, but can't find the answer - I'm just finishing off my suspension overhaul, and everything has gone swimmingly except for the track rod ends. I have some new ones ready to go on, but can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the old ends - I can undo the main bolt onto the hub carrier and drop the TRE down from that, and the lock nuts on the actual rods are undone, but I can't see how the end can possibly unscrew from the main track rod as the rod just turns inside the rack. I've tried putting the TRE back onto the hub carrier and using force, but they aren' budging for love nor money. So am I missing something and is there an easy way to remove them, they're probably the 1991 originals!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted April 18, 2007 heat, graphite penetrating spray and a pair of stillsons Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted April 18, 2007 Leave the rod end attached to the hub and put a (19mm IIRC) spanner on the track rod just between the wishbone and the subframe, if its properly tight use a blowtorch or something to heat it up until it frees off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted April 18, 2007 grip the track rod with a pair of mole grips or, if there are flats on the track rods, use a spanner they're often seized on; if you do end up using heat, let everything cool down before reassembling with the new TREs, otherwise everything will be a b*gger to get off again. i'd grease the TREs and work the threads to make sure they're not stiff and to give you some sort of chance if being able to get them off again in the future Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan_M 66 1 Cars Posted April 18, 2007 I had trouble with these on a GTi6 yesterday when removing an engine. I just wound the 19mm locknut right out, to the end of the thread. Then using a 16mm spanner on the hex bit on the inner track rod gave it some welly and they came off This only works if you don't plan on using the TRE again, as the nut is well on there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BERTMAN 40 1 Cars Posted April 18, 2007 i just use a pair of molor grips and alot of swearing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j_turnell 137 3 Cars Posted April 18, 2007 As already said leave it connected in the hub, lots of heat, get it white hot then a good spanner and a hammer, usually does the job, unless its seized in the rod. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
max0 5 Posted April 18, 2007 As already said leave it connected in the hub, lots of heat, get it white hot then a good spanner and a hammer, usually does the job, unless its seized in the rod. mine where a right b1tch to get off. Turned out someone has kerbed the car and the thread had gone on the track rod / stearing arm. Heat / Oil / Loads of swearing / And Hard work got it out - just. But the rack was dead due to the damaged thread so had to replace the stearing rack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dream Weaver 2 Posted April 18, 2007 Cheers all, what can I use for the "heat"? I don't have an oxy torch, welder etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rippthrough 98 Posted April 18, 2007 Cheers all, what can I use for the "heat"? I don't have an oxy torch, welder etc. Mapp gas canister in a blowtorch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuD 0 Posted April 19, 2007 I have had on eof these seize and was impossible to remove, even with heat. I am pretty sure you can just remove the gator from the rack and remove the track rod itself - I have done this on 406 coupe, use a stillsons, they just unscrew. Track rods are pretty cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastairh 47 Posted April 19, 2007 Just a normal blow torch will help. I've had a couple seize on me now though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
