I tried taking off my track bar last night and could not get it free.

I bought a tie rod popper, the guy in the store called it a pickle fork and it was the exact tool I saw in several videos

I hammered it in but nothing happened... The bolt sticking out of the top was not dropping at all as I pounded in the tie rod popper


Are there clips I need to look for before trying to get this out?


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the tie rod popper might help with the top end but the bottom end usually does not want to come out, the problem is the metal sleeve that the bolt goes through gets galled from metal on metal contact, you usually have to cut the bolt off on both ends and then pound it out the back, i would suggest when putting the new bushings in and the new sleeve in that you put some anti seize on the bolt before putting it together since jeeps are notorious for everything rusting to death.

 

this might also help with the top end as well

 

Bottom bolt came right out, its the top one that wont budge

 

I shouldn't ask this, but you DID take the nut off, right?

I'll tell you what WILL work! A pneumatic chisel with a pickle-fork attachment on it. OR a BMFH! I have a 4 lb splitting maul with a short handle that works fine.

 

yes, nut is off. I was wondering if there is a hidden clip on top but I don't think so...




How to I get the new track bar in if I have to heavily pound out the old one????

 

No, there's no clip. It's just a tapered hole like a tierod end.

Here's something you can try. It worked for me once when a tierod came apart. I couldn't get the ball part out of the steering knuckle so I heated it with my MAPP gas torch, then chilled it with PB Blaster. One good whack on the top end and it popped right out. MAPP gas can get up to 3500*F without oxygen added.

 

The track bar bracket could be removed from the vehicle to permit unfettered persuasion.

 

Ah! The voice of experience! I wasn't sure it wasn't welded to the chassis. Careful! You don't want to crack those pavers!