Outer tie rods seized in spindle

[primesuspect]

Good day everyone. I now have a 1997 monte carlo in the driveway. It seems the outer tie rods are seized solid in their holes. I have tried everything I can to separate them with the fork. Anyone have any little tips for me? Any help is appreciated!!

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[jmgtp]

I've used a bottlejack placed on the tie rod stud to lift the spindle/compress the spring. This puts the full force of the spring (and if you lift high enough the weight of the car) on the tie rod stud trying to force it out. Then a couple downward whacks on the spindle with a hammer and it pops free. If that doesn't work, heat it up with a torch first. There are also tools made to press them out but our spindles are kinda meaty in that area and its hard to get the tool to fit.

Note: If it does lift the car make sure to only do so enough that the weight is off the jackstand, you don't want the car literally falling back onto the stand if it comes free. Usually, the fork is the easiest to use though, so yours must be really stuck in there. Heating with a torch will help.

I prefer this method over the pickle fork since if you plan on reusing the parts it doesn't destroy the rubber grease/dust caps.

[pocket-rocket]

I've seen the knuckle beaten on with an air hammer to free them easily. I don't know if I would heat a knuckle though, mostly for the same reason they tell you not to heat springs or other suspension components. The twin I beam front end on my truck has it stamped right on the beams, along with not cutting or welding.

[MidnightriderZ24]

take a hammer and whack the spindle by the rod end. vibration will bust it loose.