4.2A6JZ

I am attempting to replace the tie rod ends on my A6, and I can't for the life of me remove the old ones. I can loosen the outer bolt, but I can't loosen the tie rod end itself. I have tried using PB blaster and I tried to apply heat to it, but it doesn't seem to budge. Any recommendations?

SloopJohnB@mac.com

If you can't get the end off the tie rod, you'll need to heat the tie rod end cherry red (use a MAPP or oxy-acetylene torch) and after removing the heat source, hold a candle wax to the threads where the tie rod end goes onto the tie rod. As the end cools it will draw wax into the threads and you should be able to remove the tie rod end.

BernieBenz

If only trying to free up TREs for alignment purposes, torching will destroy the TREs. Better to remove the TRs from the rack for a bench job. BTDT.

4Driver4

It takes very little heat to destroy the rack boot. If the tie rod is frozen, just replace it.

BernieBenz

Nonsense! Tie rods don't get frozen, just TREs.

4Driver4

The inner and out tie rods become fused so that the outer tie rod (or TRE) cannot be separated from the inner tie rod. So yes, since both ends of the tie rod are fused together, the tie rod is frozen.

BernieBenz

freeze on to its rod. The inner TRE is a ball, which never feezes in its socket. Physically impossible for both ends of a TR to freeze together, inasmuch as they are a foot apart! English not your first language?

4Driver4

Order an inner tie rod end and see what you get.

BernieBenz

If you've ever done a toe alignment you would know where and how the TR length is adjusted.

4Driver4

I haven't, but I do.