Hi I'm currently working on a fwd non ford (Shock horror)and am taking out the gearbox.

I am trying to disconnect the tie rod end, but dont have a ball joint releaser thingamyjig.

Have been told to partially thread a nut on and give it a whack with a hammer to get it off. Sound right?

How do i go about getting it back on? and is it necessary to count exactly the number of turns to get the locknut off?

tie rod is a taper lock under the nut,hitting the nut releases the taper,or hit the unit side ways to vibrate the taper loose,or both if realy tight.retighten to a torque setting or very tight.

Use another hammer to support the arm when you hit the tie-rod end, and it should break it out easily. Do it up tight again when re-fitting. I think tight is tight and broken is too tight.

i've been told to replace the rod end and rack ends if the cars done a few kms, which is which?

tie rod ends have nut and taper-next to wheel and brake,rackends screw into the steering unit under the rubber boots and the tie rods screw on the ends to adjust the lenght----rack ends have a ball on the end that wears and cant be adjusted out,giving the side a bit of play-looseness,making wheel alignment impossible-depends on how much wear.