I am changing the tie rod end on my 2001 500 ho, right hand (throttle) side, left hand threads (I hope), but I can not get the lock nut to budge. Following the instructions in the Clymer manual, it says the outer nut comes off by turning it clockwise, and I have been cranking and cranking with no luck. I even tried counter-clockwise.. I won't budge! Any thoughts or ideas?
It is still on the machine because only the outer one is bad.

 

The first thing I would try is soaking it overnight with a penetrant like Liquid Wrench.

 

Yep, PB blaster works great as well.

 

http://www.kanolabs.com/ Kroil is supposed to be even better than Blaster or Liquid Wrench, but I never see it in stores, just in catalogs.

 

PB Blaster and a BIG wrench-Ive had to use 2 BIG pipe wrenches(not the best thing) on a few occasions---Just make sure you use 2 of whatever you use so you don't bend the rod or ruin the other end.

 

I'm thinking I might be better off removing the entire rod from the machine to do this, even though the manual says that if I am only replacing the outer end I can leave it attached to the ATV.
Might save some bleeding knuckles! I'll post an update tonight. Thanks

 

take off put in vise..................

 

try a little propane torch, just on the nut you are trying to loosen, about 10 seconds of that, and the nut should move, don't overheat the nut to much or the nut could deform when you apply pressure to loosen.

 

Yep, when all else fails, break out the blue wrench. LOL!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: SCRAMBLER500XXX

try a little propane torch, just on the nut you are trying to loosen, about 10 seconds of that, and the nut should move, don't overheat the nut to much or the nut could deform when you apply pressure to loosen.</end quote></div>

Good idea just remember to buy/use "MAP GAS" its a lot hotter then propane and cost is roughly the same, its usually right near the propane bottles.