Tie rod boots

[ovrszd]

I have been turning wrenches for a living for closer to 50 years than I care to think about and have never used a fork or press on tie rod ends and never damaged one. Back when I was a pup a mechanic I learned most of it from (and still did not learn all he knew) taught me the importance of backing up the eye with a second hammer to increase the shock. Besides like has been said, since they were just replaced they will more than likely pop loose easily and nothing to align. Even if there were aligning a tractor is child's play.

Sorry John, I was typing while you were.

 

[dragoneggs]

So OP is supposed to go buy a widget tool to remove two tierods? What's that tool cost?

Have you ever saw a Professional Mechanic remove a tierod?

Hey... isn't it an unwritten rule that you never talk a guy out a tool purchase? :laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

Hey... isn't it an unwritten rule that you never talk a guy out a tool purchase? :laughing:

Seems like it!!!

 

[japody]

Seems like it!!!

Got one today at Harbor Freight. $9.99 minus 20%, plus got a free flashlight! :thumbsup:

 

[ralph008]

YouTube ｷ Tony Fanelli
13:18
Kubota BX Series Inner Tie Rod Boot Replacement - BX25 / BX22
21 oct. 2016

Video on bx

 

[ralph008]

YouTube

 

[dragoneggs]

YouTube

Good video thanks for posting. Went to order them online and looks like he is out of business. Putting the metal rings back on the boots is a pain in the arse. I like the zip tie idea. Next time I will use them.

 

[ralph008]

Only good quality zip tie, if possible with metal tab, or, litle cv boots clamp you can find at the local autoparts, adustable and you can tight with a simple wire cutter plier.

 

[dragoneggs]

Only good quality zip tie, if possible with metal tab, or, litle cv boots clamp you can find at the local autoparts, adustable and you can tight with a simple wire cutter plier.

Yep, I am well versed in zip ties. My company makes a speciality version that works well in downhole (oil and gas) operations.

 

[ovrszd]

Got one today at Harbor Freight. $9.99 minus 20%, plus got a free flashlight! :thumbsup:

Cool. Give us a report on how well it works.

 

[Gem99ultra]

All this chatter about pickle forks - use 'em or don't... Heck, I have a nice set that I bought over 50 years ago. Still nice and new - paint not even scratched. And all the while, I've replaced a bunch of tie rods, ball joints and drag links. That set of nice pickle forks have held up real good - sitting in the bottom of my toolbox. So, if you got 'em, use 'em, or like me - not. If you don't have 'em, don't bother to buy 'em.

One way to avoid realignment is to throw a wrap of tape around the tie rod shaft marking how far to screw the new one on. Works better than using a marker or counting threads. But, as John0829 says, realignment on a tractor is not child's play. Close as you can measure is good enough.

 

[ovrszd]

All this chatter about pickle forks - use 'em or don't... Heck, I have a nice set that I bought over 50 years ago. Still nice and new - paint not even scratched. And all the while, I've replaced a bunch of tie rods, ball joints and drag links. That set of nice pickle forks have held up real good - sitting in the bottom of my toolbox. So, if you got 'em, use 'em, or like me - not. If you don't have 'em, don't bother to buy 'em.

One way to avoid realignment is to throw a wrap of tape around the tie rod shaft marking how far to screw the new one on. Works better than using a marker or counting threads. But, as John0829 says, realignment on a tractor is not child's play. Close as you can measure is good enough.

I can't say my pickle forks are unused. I used them for several tasks other than removing tie rods. Then I bought a Snap-On Air Chisel that has 3 different sized pickle fork attachments. Now I don't use my manual forks at all. And I still don't use them for tie rod removal.

 

[dragoneggs]

I can't say my pickle forks are unused. I used them for several tasks other than removing tie rods. Then I bought a Snap-On Air Chisel that has 3 different sized pickle fork attachments. Now I don't use my manual forks at all. And I still don't use them for tie rod removal.

Okay... I'll bite. What are you using your pickle forks for?

 

[ovrszd]

Okay... I'll bite. What are you using your pickle forks for?

Usually when working on old rusty machinery during disassembly. My air hammer with pickle fork will shear a pretty good sized bolt and separate metal parts when they can't be wrenched.