ball joint replacement + track rod end problem

[Brenner5]

I have to replace the track rod end or rather the balljoint which is on the track rod end..

Firstly i reckon i will have to get a ball joint separator to remove the ball joint as thats what needs replacing but is there another way to remove the ball joint?

or go to the scrappies and get the track rod end (with ball joint) and put that on instead?

which would be easier as the track rod end seems quite hard to take off..

[tomstickland]

Buy a decent ball joint splitter (Sykes Pickleyvan (or Pickevant)).
I've replaced ball joints on the E30. You peel back the steering bellows and then unbolt the track rod end from the rack. Easy enough.

[Brenner5]

I am struggling to unbolt the track rod end from the rack, it dont budge..

any ideas??

I am thinking of heating it up.

[Brianmoooore]

Slide the clamp out of the way, and you will see two slots in the threaded part of the rack end.
Clean these out and liberaly apply WD40 or similar for a day or two. Knock seven bells ot of it with two hammers simultainiously, one from each side.
Use a piece of flat bar with a hammer to open up the slots slightly. Don't damage the rod end threads.
It will give up eventually. Use plenty of copper grease on the threadfs of the new rod end.

[tomstickland]

A bit of careful heat might help, but be wary of melting any seals etc.
I think I used a very large adjustable spanner (3 foot job).