200q tie rod end replacement

[David Conner]

 how the #"/& do I get
the ball joint out of the strut? 

Eyvind,
I use a tool purchased from JC Whitney for $10.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/SearchCatContainer.jhtml?_requestid=4957

For other possibilities, check out Scott Mockry's web page at...
http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/susp.html#bushing

The relevant part is copied below.
Dave C.


Now remove the tie rod end from the strut steering arm. First, you should
loosen the tie rod end adjusting nuts on the tie rod. You may need to use
some penetrating
oil, or some heat to break these loose. One of the nuts will have left hand
threads, so you will be turning it clockwise to loosen it. The best way to
remove the tie rod
ball joint from the strut steering arm, is to use a large heavy duty ball
joint or tie rod puller. You first remove the nut on the tie rod ball joint
shaft, and then use the tie
rod puller threaded bolt to press up the tie rod ball joint shaft.

One other method that works well if you don't have the puller, and you
intend on replacing the tie rod ends (recommended), is to take a 5 or 10 lb
sledge hammer and
rest it on the outer edge of the steering arm, just in front of where the
tie rod goes through the arm. Now use a 2lb (large) hammer from below and
whack the tie rod
joint upward to pop it loose. (Make sure you remove the tie rod nut first)
If you hit the tie rod joint hard enough, and support the steering arm with
the heavy sledge
hammer, it should pop loose. Just make sure you don't beat the daylights
out of the tie rod end, until it mushrooms out and prevents it from coming
out of the
steering arm. 

An air chisel and sharp pointed driver can also be used to drive the tie
rod end out with the sledge hammer resting on the steering arm. The pickle
fork type tie rod
removal tools can also be tried, to attempt to wedge between the arm and
the tie rod ball joint upper cap, but I have not had very good luck using
this tool on the
Audis as the tie rod is wedged very tight into the steering arm.