I have a 51 f-1 and I am trying to get rid of wobble once I reach 45mph. I noticed the tie rod is bent a little and probably making the front end toe out. I removed the cotter pins and castle nuts but for the life of me I cannot gut the tie rod ends to 'let go'. A buddy recommended beating it loose with a 2lb sledge as the tie rod end is tapered and probably wedged in there real nice. I don't want to use a Fork tool if at all possible as to not damage things worse. Understand this truck is a weekend ice cream getter and not driven to often but I would like to make it safe. I will straighten the tie rod to see if it fixes the problem then look to radial tires then steering box. With any luck I will get of the awful wobble.
Thanks for any and all ideas

 

This is what you need. I got mine at Autozone, for around $12. Beating it with a hammer will damage the tie rod on both ends.

 

Wilsel, thanks for the help. My tie rod is underneath the knuckle. Is it possible it is mounted wrong? Just wondering if there is enough room to get the puller in above the connection.

 

A pickle fork will work also. They are good for separating ball joints from spindles and steering arms from tie rods. It's a long tool with a tapered 'U' shape on one end that spans the bolt between ball joint and spindle or the rod end and steering arm. You drive it in and it pops the ends loose from the taper.

Your wobble is more likely caused by worn king pins than the tie rod. Jack the truck so the tire is up in the air and try wiggling the top and bottom of the tire. If it moves, replace the king pins.

 

Hit the SIDE of the steering arm (the part that the tie rod bolts to) a couple of times with a big hammer. Smack it good....the tie rod will fall right out. DON'T beat on the tie rod itself. Been doing it this way for years....

 

That's what my buddy told me to do. Thanks tinman52. I did wiggle the tires while up on the jack and there wasn't any play in the kingpins so I eliminated kingpins from the list of possible causes of wobble. Ok been beating the **** out of the steering arm and it won't fall out. Looks like I need some puller or a pickle fork. I can order a LS tie rod end no problem and just install the new one. As I jiggle the joint there is considerable play and I am pretty sure that is the culprit.

 

Tie rod ends are relatively cheap. I would replace it rather then trying to straighten it out. You will most likely never get it "straight" on your own. I think the last tie rod end I bought was $10.