HELP !! Track Rod End Removal

**Shortbusdriver1969** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 12:37

HI All, I need help in removing the N/s Track rod end, after sliding on the ice
and hitting the kerb my alloy was murdered and my steering shot to ££££.
I am trying to resolve this problem, I am trying to remove the track rod end / arm
the3 nut behind the disk just spins round is there a ' speacial' tool that extracts this bolt ??
many thanks in advance
Neil

**Flatout Phil** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 14:30

Do you mean the pinch bolt at the balljoint/wishbone to base of strut-mounting?

Get a pic up if needed.

Check out this link from Matthew's Volvo Site: http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=36344

**Shortbusdriver1969** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 14:52

dont look like a pinch bolt like on bottom arm, its the end of the track rod, ball joint.
the nut turns but also does the bolt, which also seems to have a square end to it.
there is not bolt head on the oposite end its just flush to the ball joint.
:-)

**Shortbusdriver1969** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 14:57

this is what I am replacing ( If it works on image )

**Vikingxl** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 14:58

Picture not working for me

Did you mean this?

**Flatout Phil** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 17:12

A ball-joint splitter should work well. Painful though it sounds.

This sort of thing...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clarke-Quality...item33651ae208

**Dan850r** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 17:32

You will need to hold the square end on the bolt as you call it and turn the nut with a spanner, it could be corroded tho so best spray plenty of wd40 or similar before hand, then you can use the splitter to separate it from the hub

**Shortbusdriver1969** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 18:39

Originally Posted by Vikingxl

Picture not working for me

Did you mean this?

yes thats the one :-)
the pic never works for me :-(

**Shortbusdriver1969** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 18:41

Hummm what if I just 'cut' through the bolt with a hacksaw ?

**nobananas** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 21:07

If you mean that the 'pin' that goes through the hub carrier arm (that's part of the actual balljoint, under the rubber dust cover) is turning as you attempt to turn the nylock nut then yes you could carefully cut through the threaded section. What I do when this happens is use a scissor or bottle jack placed under the track rod end then jack up against it just a little (as if you were trying to lift the car with just the balljoint) . This will force the taper harder into the hole until it grips then work the nut back and forth until you can undo it. To separate the balljoint you can use a dedicated splitter but a sharp smack with a hammer against the end of the hub carrier arm should be enough (especially if it's already loosened through turning earlier)

**Flatout Phil** · Tuesday 15th February 2011, 21:14

Originally Posted by nobananas

If you mean that the 'pin' that goes through the hub carrier arm (that's part of the actual balljoint, under the rubber dust cover) is turning as you attempt to turn the nylock nut then yes you could carefully cut through the threaded section. What I do when this happens is use a scissor or bottle jack placed under the track rod end then jack up against it just a little (as if you were trying to lift the car with balljoint) . This will force the taper harder into the hole until it grips then work the nut back and forth until you can undo it. To separate the balljoint you can use a dedicated splitter but a sharp smack with a hammer against the end of the hub carrier arm should be enough (especially if it's already loosened through turning earlier)

I fully concur with this as the best solution!