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I am removing my tracks rods (terminology from manual) as they are both extremely bent and I have a cross-eyed front end.

I removed the wheels and used a normal 2-jaw puller to remove both the outer tie rods.

I could not get the inner ones as there is no clearance above. I referred to the workshop manual and it called up for a special tool 905.3.33.502.0.

I don't have this style of puller, does any one else have an alternative?

A bush mechanic might put a long nut on the end of the tie rod (to protect the threads) and apply a BFH but being upside down there is no room to swing.



I also realise I can unscrew the track rods from the inner tie rod end, but I want to inspect them and either replace or service them (rubbers and grease).

Thanks in advance for and help. I tried searching and didn't find any relevant info.

I got one from OTC, that works very well. I believe that Harbor Trash now sells a rip-off version.

Edit: I couldn't find it listed at HT, but here's one of the OTC ones: https://jet.com/product/product/2aa9b37 ... aQodqMILLw

Thanks for that. I printed a copy of the OTC tool and took it to my truck store this morning.

They brought a CTA 4013 from out the back which was virtually identical to the OTC.

Made in USA but not sure what they quality is like compared to OTC.

Never thought it would be so simple - things here usually take twice as long for twice the effort.

Work up too early this morning so I thought I might as well work on the truck.

Amazing the difference the right tools make!

I like buying new tools when you know that just using them once is cheaper than paying a mechanic for the job.



Wonder if I get a prize for the biggest banana arms or someone has had worse.

Can those be straightened and reused, maybe with heat, or do you need to get replacements?

An ex-colleague of mine has a workshop with a 200 tonne hydraulic press that he uses to bend steel I-beams and such.

Should be no problem for him.

I noticed in a previous thread that Andre mentioned he presses them straight in situ, but it's easier for me to take them to the steel workshop.

ako wrote:Wonder if I get a prize for the biggest banana arms or someone has had worse.

I think I might have bent one further when I attempted to dislodge a tree stump with my tie rod up at McCaslin Mt. (way back when it was open), but I only bent one, so you're still in the lead.

I straightened it in a small hydraulic press (it doesn't take much) as best I could. Seemed to work fine again after being re-aligned.

A bit of press work :



And close enough for me :



A bit of paint, new rubbers and some grease and I should be away.