Tie rod removal on pitman arm

[Croce]

So i'm in the process of installing a lift kit and i tore the boot on the tie rod link that attaches to the pitman arm. I need to replace the tie rod, but it seems i stripped the top of the bolt where the 1/4" allen goes into. Im not able to remove the nut on the tie rod to replace it.. Ive tried using vise grips on the tie rod and they just slip when i turn the nut, ive also tried using a recipricating saw to saw off the tie rod but it just destroys the teeth on the blade

Does anyone have any other ideas on how i can get this damn tie rod off the pitman arm??

[rinkishJK]

Use a jack or pry bar and pry the joint back up so the tapered end is held from turning by the Pitman arm. Then use a wrench to remove the nut.

[Croce]

Oh man do i feel like an idiot
But that worked perfectly. Thanks so much

Now next question lol
Since im replacing the tie rod, do i just screw the new tie rod down to the same point where the existing one is?

[jsears]

Doesn't the Drag Link attach to the Pitman arm?

[Croce]

when I replaced my tie rod end on the pitman arm i marked the old one with tape and then transfered the mark to the new one and screwed it in but my steering wheel still needed recentering but thats a piece of cake.

Ok good. i taped mine too. wasnt sure since i installed a lift if i had to adjust it or not

[Croce]

Doesn't the Drag Link attach to the Pitman arm?

It does, but theres a tie rod on the end that i have to replace due to tearing the rubber boot

[rinkishJK]

Oh man do i feel like an idiot
But that worked perfectly. Thanks so much

Now next question lol
Since im replacing the tie rod, do i just screw the new tie rod down to the same point where the existing one is?

U already got it figured out I'm guessing, but I usually count the turns as I take it off and then screw the new one in the same amount of turns. The tape is a good idea also if there's not lube on it to get it out. If u are changing height u will need to adjust the drag link to center the steering wheel.