XPost: comp.mobile.android, misc.phone.mobile.iphone   
   From: michael.trew@att.net   
      
   On 5/7/2022 1:22, Andy Burnelli wrote:   
   > Michael Trew wrote:   
   >   
   >> Ball joints just came in. The project will commence when the weather   
   >> is better.   
   >   
   > Good luck. As I recall, removal is the hard part. That's why the pickle   
   > fork is used. You put it horizontally to the connection and bang away until   
   > it just pops free. In _my_ experience, it pops after just a few bangs.   
   > Much like a U-Joint pops out of a driveshaft after only a few hits.   
      
   Fortunately, those are already disassembled (at least one side).  I've   
   dealt with more difficult, but these were replaced with too-cheap parts   
   in the near past, which might be why they came apart easier.  I got more   
   expensive ball joints this time around.   
      
   >> Isn't there a special tool for inner tie rod ends? The last time that   
   >> I had to have those done, I took it to a shop (that does work cheap   
   >> for me). Of course, not as cheap as one could do at home.   
   >   
   > As I recall the _only_ difference in the tool is the pickle fork is   
   > smaller. But I haven't done it in years. Luckily, as with ball joints, the   
   > removal is the hard part where you're at least not worried about damaging   
   > them.   
      
   I'll have to take a look in there when I have it jacked up; maybe I can   
   get those done at the same time.   
      
   > When putting them back together, you just screw them in but there the issue   
   > is to match the steering wheel. You spend more time on the steering wheel   
   > than anything else when dealing with tie rod ends.   
   >   
   > You want to notice the center position of the steering wheel first.   
   > Then you want to lock it into place (they sell a tool for that).   
      
   Most (if not all) cars post 1968 have locking steering wheels when the   
   key is taken out.   
      
   > I've never sold anything in my life, least of all my tools. They're for   
   > my kids (or grandkids) to use if they ever need them.   
   > They'll probably be sold then though. :)   
      
   I do lots of swap meets, sales, etc.  I get almost everything used.  Old   
   tools (especially hand tools) are usually better made than new stuff, in   
   my opinion -- not to mention far more affordable.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)