Just a post for anyone contemplating removing tie rods or upper control arms/guide joints ... use a real tie rod puller- it is worth the $90 that performance sells them for.

I spent several hours removing approximately 5 joints on a couple of different projects. A couple of times, the pickle fork parted the tie rod to steering knuckle easily (with only a few minutes of beating). But several times, I pounded, repeatedly, with much fustration, until I was blue in the face and still couldn't get the joint apart.

Some of the other techniques like hitting the female side of the tie rod ball and using PB buster we not helpful. In any case, the boots for the joints and the joints themselves are always destroyed.

Now with the Kukko tie rod puller from performance, loosen the cap nut a few turns, put the puller on and plink, the joint is opened. I haven't ruined a boot/joint in more than 5 uses.

Now I can save my fustration for freeing frozen brake caliper bolts.

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84 300TD - 235k - Farbe "Surfblau" bought at 213k
87 300SDL - 131k - Farbe "PimpGold" bought at 115k
00 Klepper Faltboot Expedition Double