Removing Tie Rods on BX1880

[philtymps]

I'm having a hell of a time trying to remove the tie rods on my BX1880 to replace them. The old rods themselves are fine, but the rubber boot has holes in them which is why I decided to replace them. The dealer told me I could not order just the boots so I dropped $180 on new brand new tie rods, but I've been unable to one of them off.

When I initially put a wrench on either side of the axle, the front right tie rod broke the lock-tight seal and I was able to remove that tie rod and replace it, but now I can't get the other side off. I tried fabing a wrench to get into the small gap between the tie rode and the spindle that the tie rod is mounted to, but I literally can't get the narrow wrench to maintain it's bite and it eventually slips when I put enough force on it. How the hell do you get these tie rods off.

Thanks for reading

 

[bird dogger]

I purchassed some aftermarket boot kits for my brother's BX. They were nice quality and I haven't heard of any issues with them, yet. He's out of state, so I wasn't around for the insallation. We found those kits on ebay. I believe other members here have used them as well.

 

[RCW]

I used a pickle fork to get mine off. One side required quite of bit of time with a BFH.

I know it's too late, but I was able to get replacement inner and outer rubber boots aftermarket several years ago. Better than OEM - - in fact much better than OEM.

Lot cheaper than replacing perfectly good tie rod ends. Think I had $25 +/- total into the boots.

If you search here on OTT for "tie rod boots" you may find some of the links. Seems like there was a Part Number for some model BX boots at one time.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Which joint section are you having an issue with?
50 or 60 ?

 

[Bearcatrp]

Were those boots dry rotted or from driving in the bush? Mine look brand new. Owned it 2 years now.

 

[RCW]

Which joint section are you having an issue with?
50 or 60 ?

View attachment 144024

Wolfman - - I'd bet for the OP it's 50.

Pulling them apart you tear 60. I did.

Need to get both.

We had several threads about the BX boots here. Guessing 2015-2017? Mine were shot on my 2011 tractor within a couple/few years.

K used to have P/N's for the boots, but changed to tie rods only. Seems like I had P/N's for them then, even after K changed it. I think I posted them here.

We had an OTT member that advertised/sold them here, but they were also available through on-line avenues. Don't recall if ebay or Amazon.

The aftermarket boots were much better than the OEM.

 

[philtymps]

Which joint section are you having an issue with?
50 or 60 ?

View attachment 144024

50

 

[philtymps]

Were those boots dry rotted or from driving in the bush? Mine look brand new. Owned it 2 years now.

It was probably from driving in wooded areas with lots of brush that could have sliced the boots.

 

[philtymps]

I used a pickle fork to get mine off. One side required quite of bit of time with a BFH.

I know it's too late, but I was able to get replacement inner and outer rubber boots aftermarket several years ago. Better than OEM - - in fact much better than OEM.

Lot cheaper than replacing perfectly good tie rod ends. Think I had $25 +/- total into the boots.

If you search here on OTT for "tie rod boots" you may find some of the links. Seems like there was a Part Number for some model BX boots at one time.

What is a pickle fork and BFH?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

60 The 50 side I was able to get off ok and replace ok.

Yep pickle fork, you can normally borrow (free rent) at most auto parts stores.

Pickle fork= ball joint removal tool

BFH= Big Fin Hammer

 

[armylifer]

We had a member on this site named toneloc that used to sell the inner and outer boots. I don't know what happened to him but he hasn't been on the site since 2018. You may be able to do a little research and find his product out there.

 

[Kubota Paul]

I purchassed some aftermarket boot kits for my brother's BX. They were nice quality and I haven't heard of any issues with them, yet. He's out of state, so I wasn't around for the insallation. We found those kits on ebay. I believe other members here have used them as well.

I used a bit of heat while holding the other end with needle nose vice grip plyers

 

[#40Fan]

Hit the knuckle with a big hammer right at the tie rod taper. That'll pop it free.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: split boot
clean inside real good, insert flexible silicon caulk as required.

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

re: split boot
clean inside real good, insert flexible silicon caulk as required.

BX Inner & Outer Tie Rod Boots

If ordering from Canada or outside the US & you get a high shipping price I will adjust it to the lowest rate and refund the difference to the card you purchased it with. PICTURE SHOWS (1) TIE ROD WITH INNER & OUTER BOOTS & YOU ARE GETTING (4) BOOTS ENOUGH FOR (2) TIE RODS. ONE KIT = ONE...

bxtractorparts.com

My OEM boots didn’t last 2 years, I bought the four boots from bx tractor parts and they still look new.

 

[Tractor Gal]

BX Inner & Outer Tie Rod Boots

If ordering from Canada or outside the US & you get a high shipping price I will adjust it to the lowest rate and refund the difference to the card you purchased it with. PICTURE SHOWS (1) TIE ROD WITH INNER & OUTER BOOTS & YOU ARE GETTING (4) BOOTS ENOUGH FOR (2) TIE RODS. ONE KIT = ONE...

bxtractorparts.com

My OEM boots didn’t last 2 years, I bought the four boots from bx tractor parts and they still look new.

I, too, purchased from bxtractorparts.com Excellent product and instructions and communication.

Tractor gal

 

[Tractor Gal]

Kubota BX23D Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

(I don't know how to open messick's illustration to paste it here)

My tractor is a BX23D MLB The part of concern for me is part #60 in this illustration where the tie rod fastens to the steering cyclinder.

I can understand the problem in the OP with tightening (or loosening) the steering cylinder rods to the tie rods. It would take a "thin" wrench for the tie rod end plus I don't have a wrench large enough to grasp the flat spots on the steering cylinder to hold it while either the nut is being tightened or the rod is turned to tighten. The largest wrench I have is a 25mm. So, one side of my steering shows several threads because it's not tight. I'd like to correct that but how? I have vise grips that I could use on the cylinder which, because of short handles, are harder to hold while trying to tighten the nut on the tie rod end. I could probably do it if I had a skinny wrench. (Nothing skinny around here...not horses, dogs or chickens. )Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tractor Gal

 

[85Hokie]

We had a member on this site named toneloc that used to sell the inner and outer boots. I don't know what happened to him but he hasn't been on the site since 2018. You may be able to do a little research and find his product out there.

He and I designed (rather - he did 95%) of making a split boot for the axle shaft that splits much like the tie-rods do.

He did a great job - the boot slid around the axle and 6 very small nuts/bolts held it together.

Hell - he sold the entire kit - wrench, bolts, nuts the entire thing.

I emailed him a while back - said it was somewhat successful, but he kinda stopped.

Looked something like this:

 

[Tractor Gal]

OK...here's a screen grab...best I could do. I'll figure it out eventually. Part referenced above is #60

 

[Tractor Gal]

OK...here's a new diagram...learning how to do this...

BX23D steering cylinder tightening problem