tie rod removal

[austen]

I am missing something and thought it was time to put pride aside and ask for help. I am trying to replace the tie rod end, however the threaded part seems to be rusted to the female part that eventually connects to the steering rack. So, I thought just replace the whole tie rod assembly. Is there a special tool to loosen the inner piece with the bent washer/lock? Thanks for any input.

[dgdavidson]

Here's a good write up on it.

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismaintenance.html#trackrods

[bmwman91]

I had the same problem getting the ends out.

I got my little propane torch and heated the hell out of the part where the threads mesh, like HOT. After it cooled I doused it with Liquid Wrench and it came loose. I got a large crescent wrench and set it on the hexagonal portion of the track rod, and braced it against the control arm. I then used another one on the rod end, and with some brute force it came loose.

The torch trick works like every time. It expands the metal and cracks the rust inside.

[sheepdog]

I had the same problem, lucky for me, I was replacing the rack and just cut it off.

[austen]

Thanks a lot guys. I will get back out there tomorrow and give it another go. These are rather fun cars, I have ended up with two of them. I want to get back into some track racing and thought this would be a good car to relearn with as I have not been on a track in over 12 years and that was with a Porsche. Thanks again, I just need to spend some more time on it.