Hey everyone,
I am attempting to replace my leaking front struts on my '95 2.2L OHV - The problem is I cannot get the tie rod end to come out of the spindle! I have removed the cotter pin and the castle nut, but beating the tie rod pin up with a hammer isn't working, neither has a pickle fork ( I think it was too big) or an adjustable 2-jaw puller (I can't get anywhere to grab on with it).
How are you guys replacing the struts ?
the fork should get it off, make sure its the right size.
hammer the @!#$ out of it, dont beat around the bush.
-Borsty
Ive never removed a tie-rod to replace any strut... especially on a cavalier..
Remove the 3-13mm bolts from the strut tower in the engine bay. Remove the 2 large nuts from the base of the strut.. I wanna say 21mm, but Im not sure.. Bang the 2 bolts out.. Slide the strut bottom away from the knuckle and down... Clear the inner fender with the top of the strut and pull it right out...
<img src=http://www.consumptionjunction.com/i/default03.gif>
^^^ thats what I do.
But since you have beaten and banged on the stud part of the ball joint you will prob. never get the nut back on it. With it being a 95 I would replace the Tie rod ends anyways, but go get a tie rod end pickle fork you prob. have the ball joint one that is slightly larger.
<img src=http://domestictuners.com/banner.jpg WIDTH="400" HEIGHT="75" /img>
Hit 200 NA it broke once, Hit 213 it broke again,
Hitting 300 NA is further away than I thought.
Nooo! Don't use the fork. you will detroy the ball joint boot. I am a GM Tech and i never had to use the fork. the best way to romove the ball joint from the spindle is to get a
BIG F!@#ING HAMMER and hit the spindle a (you are gonna have to hit it pretty hard)
being careful not to hit anything else and you will be able to see the ball joint slide out.
bullet: thanks for the advice - This is what I am hearing as advice from a few other techas as well
bullet, could you tell me if it is advisable that I remove the strut by teh method some guys have mentioned - removing the top thrree strut bolts, and then the two bottom big ones on the spindel?
Thanks to everyone for your replies, it is much appreciated!
all removing the tire rod does it make putting the strut bak in a lil easier, but not needed at all, thats all up to you...
