I went to replace the rod ends on the track bar, and could not for the life of me get the ends out.

Took the ends off the spindle, loosened and removed the clamp, but could not get the ends off even with a 10" pipewrench and lots of PB Blaster on 'em.

Is that tube hollow? I wanted to remove it totally with both ends on it and put it in a vice, but was afraid of damaging it.

And if anyone needs them, D.A.P. sells rod ends,greasable, for $20/piece.

 

I dont think they are hollow. Hammer?

 

They are heavy walled, but they are hollow. You won't crimp them. I had a time with mine. I got the drag link (front bar) with the ends already on, but re-built my track rod. It was a pain. Put grease on everything when you put it back together...

 

Heat is your friend. Just not too much, you don't want to alter the temper of the tube. Tie rod end in the vice, pipe wrench on the tube.

 

Good idea, probably work better than my idea with the rod in the vice and pipe wrench on the rod end.

 

That must be why when the PO replaced the front one, he did the whole bar with the ends

 

It was actually cheaper. I needed a new drag link due to my PO tearing the crap out of the trcuk. I got it from the dealer, and they ordered it complete because it was cheaper to get.

 

No I've done it. If you, take the bar out then put it in a vice. Heat it up a little but just at the ends then spray it with some PB blaster it takes a bit but it will come. Another trick is to heat it up and tighten it like a quarter of a turn. Then just count the turns off. Makes aligning it way easier.

 

mine are frozen on there. i tried having an alignment done when i got new tires and i watched them using heat and they couldn't get them to budge. luckily the tires are pretty damn near straight frozen in place. but i don't know what i will do when i have to replace the tir rod ends

 

Get some Never Seeze


Then get some greaseable tie rod ends, and replace them, coating the threads liberally with the Never Seeze.
I wouldn't wait until the last minute and end up scrambling.