Steering track rod end tool

What type of tool should you use ?
I have a 'fork' type that you thump with a mallet, however I dont think it does the joint that much good.
Can anyone recommend an alternative to use ?

Careful now ...they don't like being disturbed so I hope you have some new ones .
You need a forked splitter ,screw in type .Undo the bolt a tad then fit the fork and wind it in .I've always found it best to fit a new one after this but up to you .

Funny how these threads pop up .... I have just this day had some of my own design threaded adjuster bushes made .I pick them up in the morning ,they fit and adjust just as per the original but ....you can fit std Renault rod ends instead of the Alp/Spider only versions which, if you can find them ,are over £100 each

Thanks Lee
So it is possible to remove the old and refit without replacing with a new unit ? Or in other words, what part of the operation needs extra care ?

You can't really take care due to the method of removal .You can damage the rubber gaiter and you'll find that the taper lock is worn/rusted up where the slot in the seating bush is + the ball itself will be worn .
Do it once ,do it right and now you can either pay £250 for just new rod ends or £85 for new all round ,tie rods and new hardened & tempered bushes
The bush is adjustable just as the old one was so you can set height if lowered suspension .

Thanks for the info and photos.

Do I assume that the bush remains screwed in the arm - i.e. the tract rod taper is pushed out of the unit ?

..the purpose of all this is the steering gaitor being split. Hence need to break this joint to put a new one on.
Was considering leaving the track rod end in situ and undoing the steering arm, but not sure if this would rotate freely and enough to unscrew from the rod end.

Ahh right ....You don't need to split the balljoint then .
The bar the joint screws into will rotate with out disengaging from the rack so just free the nut/thread off and turn that bar .You will see it has flats on where it enters the gaiter .

Pics ...just so happens that today I am mostly doing steering and front suspension ...mind that's £25 you owe for online support live from RATS Garage

So this is a ..... part of a steering rack ?

Yes .That is what you will see when you take the gaiter off

And it looks like their membership forms have been processed too

Interesting, ball n socket arrangement on the rack assembly.
So the shaft on the LHS connects into the track rod end.
I was expecting the gaitor boot to cover up this and part of the actual toothed rack.

GTAs best attribute is the steering so don't question it just accept it and enjoy

Understand now I've removed and replaced the gaitor - but what a pig of a job to put the new boot on.