Frozen Toe Adjustment Nut

[RalphTomaccio]

Small problem I'm hoping someone can help me with.

Part of the tire deal at Town Fair Tire is that they include a front end alignment. They told me they couldn't do it because the toe adjustment sleeve was frozen and that I have 90 to get it fixed and then they will still do the alignment free. When I got home I applied some PB Blaster on it for a coupled days, hoping it would help. When I brought it over to the shop to have the spacers installed, I had them see if they could free the sleeve. They tried for quite awhile, even heating it with a blow torch, and they couldn't get it loose either. They said that if they removed the tie rod completely and were able to use a vise on it, they may be able to free it.

What are your thoughts on this? Any other way to fix the issue?

Thanks!

[Frank]

If PB and a torch didnt do it , What do you have to loose. I could see a vice being helpful but they would have to remove the whole steering linkage to fix it. There is a tool called a nut buster . You can rent it from Advanced,Pep Boys,. It will break the nut on a flat side so the grip is gone. If you have the room , cut it off with a cutoff wheel or hacksaw and then put a new bolt and nut. TaDa ! No Charge Dude FjR68

[RalphTomaccio]

I guess what I'm trying to decide is if I should put any money into trying to save the old one to save money or put it into a new one, although I can't really swing it right now after buying the tires and TPMS sensors.

Anyone have a take off they would like to unload?

[RalphTomaccio]

Got a nice surprise today. Received an email from Eric at Offload Elements who didn't see my email right away saying that he has a tie rod taken off one of their Jeeps that I can have. I'm going to swing out their tomorrow to pick it up. He says it has 12,000 miles on it.

Although he said I can have it, I'd like to at least offer something. What do you think a fair price would be?

Other than a toe adjustment sleeve that can actually be adjusted, is there anything else I should be concerned with?

[pirahnah3]

Glad to hear the great news! Not sure what I would offer myself but make a fair offer that you think is good.

[RalphTomaccio]

I went to Offload Elements today where I met Eric and picked up the tie rod. Seems like a really nice guy. The tie rod appears to be in pretty good shape except for some scratches and chipped paint on the bar itself. No biggy! It came off a 2015 JK. I asked him if I could give him something for it and he said no. I then asked him if I could buy him lunch at least and, again, no thanks. I got it home and tried to loosen the toe adjustment collar to clean it up, repaint it and apply anti-seize to it and couldn't do it with my simple hand tools.

[Frank]

Its only strike two Bud ! With the buckle facing up fill it with PB for a couple days. You can rent the correct wrench for that turn buckle or use a pipe wrench on the very end outside the split. You can also put the sleeve in the vice and turn the tie rod or end. FjR68

[pirahnah3]

Ralph, If you need a vice and some bench space to really torque it up I should be home this weekend doing some house work and hopefully tearing into a jeep so your welcome to my bench and tools as needed.

[RalphTomaccio]

Silly question, maybe, but is the toe adjustment sleeve and tie rod end a "reverse thread" by chance?

[pirahnah3]

Was a pleasure to work with you today Ralph, glad that thing came apart nicely and hopefully that trend continues for you in its replacement.

[RalphTomaccio]

Thanks for the help, Jim. Certainly didn't expect it to cooperate. A pleasant surprise.

Now, to get it on the Jeep and get an alignment.