Tie Rod and Ball Joint Puller for 1998 Tacoma Limited

I need to disconnect the outer tie rod from the LBJ in the front end of my Tacoma. I've tried the small and large $15 pullers from Harbor Freight and O'Reillys. Due to its thickness the larger one would not go under the LBJ because the metal brake shield was in the way, and the smaller one was not wide enough to fit around the bottom of the LBJ.

If somebody could give me a hint on how I can make one of these work I would appreciate it. I'm on social security and cannot afford a $60-$100 tool set for this one-time job, and beating the LBJ until the tie rod drops out doesn't work for me either.

One alternative might be to remove the 4 bolts that hold the LBJ to the control arm, but I'm not sure about that method. Ideas?

 

Sorry to resurrect this post, but I'm running into exactly the same issue and am hoping that you found a solution. Do you remember what you did?

Thanks in advance. Happy Halloween!

 

You could always remove the rotor and bend the backing plate to make it fit then just bend thr backing plate back as long as it's not too rusty.

 

In 2017 I just gave up. I didn't really need to replace it anyways.

Earlier this year I replaced both LBJs. I went to Advance Auto, got one of their loaner kits for all of the joint separators and used the correct tool. After I replaced the LBJs I took the kit back and got back my deposit.

 

Also try Autozone for loaner tools, I recently replaced my upper/lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends.
Rented both the small/large pullers, literally "banged it out" in one afternoon.

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-pitman-arm-puller

 

One of these should make quick work of separating the outer tie rod end.



This one is from Harbor Freight. The auto parts stores should have something similar in one of their loaner tool kits.

 

You are not using the tool correctly. I will take the nut all the way off then put it back on almost all the way, there is nothing worse than the tapered joint spinning and the nut wont unthread. Put the puller on and tighten it. If there is room to swing a large enough hammer, strike the control arm by the joint a few times and it should pop off. If you need to remove thing for swing room, do it. You are not a line mechainc on commission here. If you cant swing the hammer accuratly enough put one hammer on the joint and strike the first hammer with the second hammer, saftey glasses are recommended.

 

This is tool I use for that:

 

^^^ Same here.

 

I tried the type of puller in post #6 last night after hammering on the LBJ for a long time. Wouldn't pop so got out the separator. Felt like it was cranking down a bit tight and finally "Pop!". Unfortunately, the ball in the outer tie rod broke some place internally and the ball/bolt now just turns with the nut. So I had to cut the nut/top of bolt off to remove the outer tie rod from LBJ. The tie rod ends were only a year old so not sure why they were so bonded on the LBJ. Oh well, $60 for new tie rod. Hoping the drivers side goes easier.