Help - tie rode nut at end steering column

[Sevey]

Putting on a oft relocate and the ball joint on the end of the tie rod won't slip off so I can realign skis. It's stuck
Any ideas to get it to pop off
Tried hammer, screw driver and pry, heated it, wd40
This was supposed to be a 5 min job
Now sled is down
Nice
Help
Ms

 

[birdmayon]

Why do you need to pop it off? Should be able to loosen the jam nuts on both ends and just rotate the tie rod itself to make the adjustment.

 

[canoehead]

Why do you need to pop it off? Should be able to loosen the jam nuts on both ends and just rotate the tie rod itself to make the adjustment.

Correct. Do not remove the ball joint. The jam nuts both break in a counter clockwise (Left hand) motion while facing them.Turning the rod clockwise moves the skis to the right while facing the machine.

 

[Sevey]

How on earth do you get at the bottom one?????????
I have the threads ruined on the ball joint so regardless it's gotta come out
Supposed to be a 5 min job, so much for that
Ms

 

[grizztracks]

You don't need to remove it but for when you do there are a couple of techniques. You can buy a tool called a pickle fork that's made for removing tapered joints or if a fork is not available you can apply pressure using a pry bar as if you were trying to pry it out and then hit the end of the piece it's pressed into with a hammer.

I made a tool out of a medium sized chisel. Just grind a notch out of the center of the chisel large enough to fit around the stud of the ball joint.

pry bar method

 

[Sevey]

Grizz
How hard do you rap the steering piece? Do you tap it, or really hit it?
Tried prying down with a large slotted screw driver, but no luck.
Have a pry bar that could mimick your chisel idea.

Let's just say this doesn't work, then what?
Thanks
Ms

 

[grizztracks]

It'll work. give it a couple good blows with a hammer. It also helps to turn the bars so the end is facing out. If you do the pry bar method it helps to have someone pry on the joint while you hit it with a hammer. I've done that method on diesel trucks for years. I've used this method on a few sleds over the years but because some of the joints are hard to get at with a pry bar and hammer it's easier to use my modified chisel. They also make pickle fork attachments for air hammers.

Modified chisel

 

[Sevey]

Grizz, you did it again. You were right!
Thanks for your help, I used a longer cold chisel to pry with and heated it up good with the heat gun.
Wish I knew this could be such an SOB.
Last night I was beside myself,
You guys wih a broad mechanical background have all the tricks.
Thanks again
Ms