Can’t remove track rod ends

[Woody2000]

Hi I am trying to change the track rod ends on a Truimph 2000 mk2 

i have had to remove the track rod ends with a grinder but I can’t undo the nut I have tried heat and plusgas 

Any ideas what to do ???

[thescrapman]

Which nut is it that I should resisting?

the one holding the TRE to the steering arm, or the adjuster nut on the steering arm?

[Woody2000]

The adjuster nut end is the other end easier to undo then sort it out on a bench ??

[thescrapman]

The greasey end can be easier to undo, just very messy, zero chance of it being rusted that is for sure!

the will be a tab washer deep in the grease, note the shims, 

[Woody2000]

Update need to get a bigger spanner for the inner nut not sure of the size ?? 

If not I suppose I could cut the locking nut off them the track rod end will come off ???

[Colin Lindsay]

Have you removed these before? By that, I mean are you experienced in mechanicing and you do know that the nut and the track rod end move in opposite directions? Sorry if that sounds insulting to your intelligence but I've seen it before, where new owners think the nut is the track rod end itself and so keep tightening it, thinking the whole thing should unscrew as one, thereby locking it against the other part and so they never loosen. They need to move in opposite directions, track rod end one way and the nut the other. Just checking!

[poppyman]

A photo of what you are trying to undo, would help us to help you if you can?

Tony. 

[Woody2000]

Hi Tony taken some photos below hope this shows the problem .Have previously cut the steering arms off to be able to dismantle the rest of the suspension!!!!!!

maybe should have undone them before hand 🥺hind sight is a wonderful thing 

[Woody2000]

Trying to replace the track rod ends by hook or crook 

[Pete Lewis]

a 3ft stilson should grip the remains of the TRE

or a std  18" on a block

Pete

[Colin Lindsay]

I can't add arrows to your image to demonstrate - Mac Preview is messing me about - but the nut takes one spanner, and the flat bit just behind the balljoint takes another. Turn them in opposite directions, or else hold the TRE steady and loosen the nut, then you'll find that it should screw off if you keep the steering arm gripped tight, maybe in molegrips or the like.

[Woody2000]

Have tried this Colin no movement at all tried heat and plusgas as well Amy more ideas ?? 

[Colin Lindsay]

Yep. More force. It will go!

[Woody2000]

Ok will try and thanks for all the advice 

[KevinR]

Use two Stilson wrenches - it will give in eventually.

[poppyman]

1 hour ago, Woody2000 said:

Ok will try and thanks for all the advice 

I was just about to say spanner on nut stilson on track rod end   Try all three and let us know who win's?  Have faith it will go. They can be bloody tight though.....

Tony.

[Woody2000]

Good news thanks to a new pair of stilsons and another pair and plenty of force and grunting I have now managed to free the nuts and Renew the track rod ends now I can carry on putting all theothwt  bits back on now !!! 

Thank you for all your help and advice to a newbie at this 👍🏻

[poppyman]

58 minutes ago, Woody2000 said:

Good news thanks to a new pair of stilsons and another pair and plenty of force and grunting I have now managed to free the nuts and Renew the track rod ends now I can carry on putting all theothwt  bits back on now !!! 

Thank you for all your help and advice to a newbie at this 👍🏻

Great stuff nice to know that it is sorted..... Don't forget we were all a "newbie" at one point.....   

Tony.

[Chris A]

16 hours ago, poppyman said:

Don't forget we were all a "newbie" at one point.....   

Tony.

Humm... How long does being a newbie last I wonder, I suspect it lasts several years.

In my case it did. For about 10 years when I was growing up I lived in a house on "Newby Road" ok different spelling but the effect was the same