Iconic Hack all REAL Mechanic Know! #mechanic

[nikolaiylimys]

That was not stuck. Stuck is when you hit it, heat it, pull it, push it, use every single tool you can find, buy and steal, pray and cry and it still doesn't come off.

[ManpreetSingh-kjst]

Top Tip. Thread the Nut on a little bit while you hit the side of the Knuckle just in case you miss. Thats if you plan to reuse the same Tie Rod End.

[azhule]

Just get a ball joint separator tool from harbor Freight, works everytime ive needed it. The little one that has threads and comes in a green box.

[theEVILone]

That was not stuck. Stuck is a 40 yr old Alfa Romeo spider tie rod. I've had some that the 20 ton press would bend before coming loose. Thankfully the knuckle for the tie rod can be unbolted and then unscrew the tie rod.

[brentmcgillis]

Newsflash: This method works on ALL tapered connections in steering components: Center links, drag links, idler arms, Pitman arms and tie rods. Two 4 lbs hammers are rarely needed, but do work. For heavy truck parts a sledge is required. You need to practice giving the Ball joint bosses a Full stroke smash, like you are pitching a fastball. No girly taps here, you need to beat this thing like "You are at the State Fair trying to ring the bell". Then every single joint will fall apart into your hands like butter. Like beating on the Steering Knuckle, you will NEVER break that Tie rod or ball joint BOSS, these things are built to survive 100, 000's of miles of battered pothole ridden roads, you are NOT going to hurt the Knuckle. When you wind up with your 4lb hammer, you will be taking the wind-up behind your shoulder line and giving it the full Beans, full strokes with authority aimed properly aimed. Practice these full throttle hammer blows, and steering jobs will melt in your hands. I have not used a splitter fork in OVER 20 years now. Forks tear up boots, so then you need a new joint, or tie rod etc. If you do a lot of steering you will get good at taking them apart and not replacing steering parts that are in perfect condition.

[yorkiepit]

Thank you, you always have the best hacks for DIY people!

[bmint]

The hammer trick works for everything!!

If you break it with this.. it needed to be replaced anyway..

Try to understand the force of a pothole on your 3000 lbs car..

You can not hit your car this hard!!

They are built to be on roads!!

Cars are much tougher than people think

[brentmcgillis]

Great channel with extremely useful content, your tool tips are useful and correct. I am 65 and have been pulling wrenches since I helped my dad put an engine in a 66 Chevy truck 50 years ago. I am pleasantly surprised at how expansive your knowledge is. Your tips are invaluable for young mechanics, you take the guess work out of mechanics who may not have a mentor to show them these techniques. I am a subscriber that is always looking to improve my knowledge base.

[MrMech-ojiy]

Thats not what the protruding metal part is for. Thats steering over travel stop.

[JosephCowen-fzvj]

Why are you hitting it sideways, that nib is ment to be hit square on to deflect the taper, and two hammer at the same time from opposite sides diflect the taper much better .

[Enter-a-name]

If you are replacing the tie rod end and the cotter pin is stuck, don't fight it. Take your side cutters, nip the ends off the cotter-pin, hammer a socket on the nut and spin it off. I've seen so many guys fighting to get the pin out when it's not necessary. Even if you are re-using the tie rod you can do this. Once the nut is removed you can get in there with a punch or even drill out the remaining bits of the pin. It doesn't hurt the threads on the tie-rod or the castle nut.
Just a bit of info for those who don't know. We all start with the same amount of knowledge, none. It doesn't hurt to share what you know. What might seem obvious to some people, can be mind blowing information to others.

[anonymike]

Usually works. Not always. If it works, it saves the boot.

[MeadeJ]

Is this for people who don't work on cars?

[monkfry]

Worked even better if you hold a hammer head on the opposite side.

[bobbysweeney]

I don’t know what was more surprising
The trick or the face behind the mechanic talk & camera

[robinelston]

I've often used an 8 pound sledge resting on one side whilst smacking the opposite hard with a light hammer. A long barrel air hammer works very well directly on the stud.

[Anubis]

It's a tapered fit. You just need to shock it to break it loose.
If you have the space the best technique is to strike it with two hammers from opposite sides at the same time. This will free even the most stubborn, but you need enough space.
That protruding part is not for striking. That's for stopping the steering travel before it contacts anywhere else.

[mikemarks]

My body aches just watching you do this

[m_lockwood-tjkv]

The split or cotter-pin was not holding the nut as it should and that sticking out metal is a steering stop as mentioned before.

[hidroyneive]

Can you answer a question I have man?…

What causes the “death wobble”.. it’s occurring on my ‘97 Chevy OBS on the driver side.