Hi Guys, I just rented this ball joint and u-joint removal tool kit today from Auto Zone...

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4288/picture034y.jpg

Is there anyway I can also use this kit to remove my tie rod ends, etc?
Thanks.

Regards,
-Greg

Not that I can see. They make a puller that is a small version of the pitman arm puller or the fork. Of course a hammer might work if there's room to swing, but I don't like hammer's Willie

The good news is... that is an excellent tool for ball joint removal and I have used them many times. Once you find the right adapter combination, it is as slick as can be.

The bad news... it does not work at all on tie rod ends.

Do a search on tie rods or tie rod ends and I think you will see they are not as hard as you would think. Either the pickle fork or hammer method both work well and you will be surprised at how easily they come out. Just don't be afraid to give them a good whack regardless of which method you use.

I rented that kit before, they also have a second case that even had more adapters.

You need a fork to remove the tie rod ends or ball joints at the tapered stud. The only bad thing is it will ruin the rubber boot, not a problem if you are putting on new parts. The alternative is a couple of good whacks with a hammer on the side of the steering knuckle, not the tie rod itself. Usually this will shock the taper and the tie rod will come loose.

You need a pickle fork to remove tie rod ends. You can also separate them with a couple good whacks from a hammer.

Thanks for the info.
I also still have the "pickle fork" kit that I rented from Auto Zone to knock my ball joints loose when I removed my front coil springs last week.

I'm going to use this ball joint kit to remove the ball joints from the control arms, and hopefully I can also use it to remove the bushings from the control arms...can I?

The guy at Auto Zone told me I needed a "tie rod end tool" to dismantle the tie rods.
I asked him if what I needed for the tie rods was in this ball joint kit.
He opened the box, adjusted his bifocals and looked in it.
He said..."Yeah, this'll work."
I should have known better.

I'll use my pickle fork on 'em.
Thanks.

-Greg

Thought I also saw a kit for rent that was for the tie rods, pitman arm, center link, etc. 2 hammers for the hammer method, one held to the back side, hit the steering knuckle on the other side.