Can't loosen tie rod on Tesla to center the steering wheel

[atikovi]

17 mm wrench is slipping when I try to loosen it. 16 mm won't fit.

No room to swing an adjustable wrench. Flare nut wrench or crowfoot won't fit. I have a set of these butterfly sockets

but the genius that designed them made them in range of multiple sizes for each. So 17-18 mm is worse than the wrench. Any other ideas?

 

[GSCJR]

You're not going to like my answer, so here goes nothing:

Torch and a Vise-Grip.

 

[Danno]

You're not going to like my answer, so here goes nothing:

Torch and a Vise-Grip.

Was thinking the same, Vise Grip Garage style.

 

[GSCJR]

Was thinking the same, Vise Grip Garage style.

Sometimes we just don't have a choice. You also need just the right amount of heat, not too much and not too little; it's a fine line.

EDIT: I've also had to use pipe wrenches in the past.

 

[bunnspecial]

21/32" is right between 16 and 17mm. That's not a size I personally have or have seen, but there are several relatively inexpensive($10-20) open end options that I found on a quick Google search. I wonder if it's worth trying that if 16mm won't go and 17mm is loose.

 

[WobblyElvis]

Where's the penetrating oil?

 

[hrv]

Where's the penetrating oil?

Put some on and let sit overnight....It might work...

 

[97prizm]

17 mm wrench is slipping when I try to loosen it. 16 mm won't fit.

View attachment 220913

No room to swing an adjustable wrench. Flare nut wrench or crowfoot won't fit. I have a set of these butterfly sockets

View attachment 220916

but the genius that designed them made them in range of multiple sizes for each. So 17-18 mm is worse than the wrench. Any other ideas?

Freeze off is your friend. It was the only thing that would loosen rusted bolts on my cousins 350Z. If the 17/18mm wrench doesn't work is it possible that Tesla used a mishmash of metric and sae sizes? My GEO was like that.

 

[97prizm]

21/32" is right between 16 and 17mm. That's not a size I personally have or have seen, but there are several relatively inexpensive($10-20) open end options that I found on a quick Google search. I wonder if it's worth trying that if 16mm won't go and 17mm is loose.

This. Not a knock on Tesla but they've been known to change parts in the middle of production.

 

[bunnspecial]

This. Not a knock on Tesla but they've been known to change parts in the middle of production.

You mentioned your Geo. Not that it would necessarily have any relationship, but wouldn't it have been made in what's now the Tesla factory in California?

I worked a friend's 97 Prizm a few times years ago. I remember for the most part you could treat it like a Corolla, but there were a few oddball things on it...

 

[JRay’07]

How about the larger jam nut to the right of your wrench?

 

[atikovi]

How about the larger jam nut to the right of your wrench?

That loosed just fine, if a bit tight.

 

[97prizm]

You mentioned your Geo. Not that it would necessarily have any relationship, but wouldn't it have been made in what's now the Tesla factory in California?

I worked a friend's 97 Prizm a few times years ago. I remember for the most part you could treat it like a Corolla, but there were a few oddball things on it...

Yep built at the nummi plant in Fremont. It was the 1997 oddball Apricot Mica Metallic color one year only. It needed more power than the 105 hp it had. The engine stuff was Toyota so metric but from memory it had a few things that used oddball sae sizes. Oh and less sound deadening than a Corolla. I used several cans of sound deadening spray under the car.

 

[WobblyElvis]

In that photo...., what's that sky blue extension cord doing. That sure is some fine engineering.

 

[atikovi]

In that photo...., what's that sky blue extension cord doing. That sure is some fine engineering.

Air suspension line.

 

[eljefino]

Put a pipe wrench on it, a gnarly one.

An open end wrench will open up under this stress. You could try hose clamping several together so each gets a bite but that takes time.

If you can't swing the pipe wrench, pop the outer TRE out of the knuckle, adjust the steering so it's sticking out enough, and put a second pipe wrench on the TRE so you can really give it the gas. Might even put a jack under it. This WILL turn.

 

[AZjeff]

Can you do this?

 

[mattd]

You need heat.

 

[demarpaint]

How about a Swedish Pipe wrench, like this: HF S-Jaw With some heat.

 

[brages]

this is an american car, so it's probably SAE

(joke)

I've used pipe wrenches for this in the past. With heat and penetrating oil. Surprised you haven't run into something like this before