Tie Rod End bolt thread issues

[tucker0104]

I recently replaced my steering gear box. The pitman arm was a major pain to get off of the tie rod end and the steering gear box. Turns out I ended up messing up the first two threads on the bolt for the tie rod end that slides through the pitman arm. I can't get the nut to thread on and I have tried other ones with no luck. I have thought of 3 different things I can do:

1) try to use a die to get the threads back. If you recommend that, where can I rent a die at?
2) cut the first two threads off of the bolt and then try to get the nut on?
3) order a new tie rod end? I have already ordered it but won't be ehre till Wednesday and hoping to have the truck back on the road before then.

What do you recommend?

[rolsmojave3]

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[BigFuel]

Just for the next time you pull it off get yourself a set of ball joint forks. You can get a set of forks for about $30. Comes with multiple sizes. To pull the pitman from the box use a standard 2 point 2 1/4" gear puller.

Astro Pneumatic 5pc. Tie-Rod/Ball-joint Splitter/Fork Set AP78805 | Tie Rod, Ball Joint, Pitman Arm

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/ts202.htm

[Brian Ski]

Originally Posted by rolsmojave3

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Good idea... You can pick one up where they sell good hand tools or a machine shop. They sell them in American or metric. Use the right teeth and true up your threads again.

Next time around a fork tends to tear up the boots for me. Better than beating a tie rod out with a hammer but I use a tie rod press. They are fairly cheap and don't do any damage. Several kinds and a couple sizes... I use one like this.

https://sites.google.com/site/tubane...RodRemoval.jpg

BTW Don't know of any places that would rent a die... They cost about $5 or so to buy one. Maybe a little more... It has been a while.