[GrantF32]

I live in the rust belt (wisc) and am trying to align a customers 2021 x5 but the outer tie rods are seized to the inners. Normally I would super heat the lock nut and I’ve seen way worst rust with success, but with the aluminum outers I don’t want to heat them too much. Any ideas outside of replacing?

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by GrantF32

I live in the rust belt (wisc) and am trying to align a customers 2021 x5 but the outer tie rods are seized to the inners. Normally I would super heat the lock nut and I’ve seen way worst rust with success, but with the aluminum outers I don’t want to heat them too much. Any ideas outside of replacing?

They don't call it the rust belt for nothing, eh I use penetrating fluid like Kroil or Blaster and let it sit overnight. You really have to spray it on and get a good soak. You may still need to heat it up a bit but not as much as you normally would if it was steel to steel. Once you get it freed, you might want to clean the mail and female threads and then put a little anti seize on them before putting it back together.

[Alan l.]

my shop had the really heat the hell out of them on one side to get the car aligned. no joke he spent close to 45mins on that one side.

I plan to have the whole tie rod replaced shortly since it wasn't too expensive ($225)