RE: Spitfire Tie Rod End Joints

["Vincenti, Ross" <Ross.Vincenti@transamerica.com>]

Bill wrote:
Help,  I need some advice on how best to remove a stuck tie rod end joint 
from
the tie rod.  The drivers side came right off but the other side won't move.
'70 Mk3 Spitfire
*********************************
Bill - you'll need a ball joint separater (aka "pickle fork") to split them 
apart.  You can pick one up at Sears or the local Pep Boys for about $8.00. 
 There is one thing I found out the hard way - the ball joints and tie rod 
ends on Spits are so small that the typical ball joint separater carried at 
most stores is too wide to split them apart.  Sears makes a "kit" that 
contains a threaded shaft and has four different size "fork heads" - it's 
not cheap (about $20) but the smallest head fits perfect on Spit ball 
joints, and it's the only ball joint separater you'll ever need.  Just put 
the end of the forks on either side of the joint and bash away with a small 
sledge hammer until it splits.  If it doesn't split right away, soak it with 
WD-40, etc. then use a bigger sledge hammer.

Ross D. Vincenti
64 Spitfire 4
64 Porsche 356C Coupe