Best Tie Rod End Separator Under $50 (2026)
A 5-piece OMT front end set, the Lisle 18520 fork, and title-only 5-piece sets from ReluxGo and Acymner, compared by opening size, weight, case and warranty.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallOMT 5-Pc Front End Set9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Best ForkLisle 185209.6/10View on Amazon - 3
5-Piece Fork SetReluxGo 5-Piece Set9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
5-in-1 KitAcymner 5-in-1 Kit9.6/10View on Amazon
A tie rod end that will not budge can turn a Saturday steering job into a long afternoon with a hammer and a pry bar. The taper fit holds tight by design, and a separator gives the joint a clean push apart instead of a fight. This guide covers the best tie rod end separator under 50: a front end set from OMT, the Lisle fork, and fork and puller sets from ReluxGo and Acymner, compared by what each listing actually states.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall OMT 5-Pc Front End Set: 5 tools for ball joints, tie rods and pitman arms in 1 ABS case, with hardened alloy construction. Check price on Amazon
- Best Fork Lisle 18520: Heavy-duty fork with a 21/32 in tine opening and a stepped design, and the steps can be sharpened. Check price on Amazon
- 5-Piece Fork Set ReluxGo 5-Piece Set: Fork sizes of 1-1/8, 15/16 and 11/16 in in the title, with a suitcase for storage. Check price on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Kit Acymner 5-in-1 Kit: A 5 in 1 pitman arm puller and tie rod end set, listed in red. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
| # | Product | Shop Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OMT Ball Joint Separator, Tie Rod End Tool Set | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | Lisle 18520 Tie Rod Separator | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | 5-Piece Ball Joint Separator Set | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Ball Joint Separator Kit | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
OMT Ball Joint Separator, Tie Rod End Tool Set
A 5-piece front end service set with a ball joint separator, a tie rod and ball joint remover, a conical pitman arm puller, a pitman arm and tie rod end puller, and a pitman arm puller, in a molded ABS case.
Pros
- 5 tools in 1 case cover ball joints, tie rods and pitman arms
- Hardened alloy construction, per the listing
- Fits domestic and import vehicles, plus light trucks, per the listing
- Molded ABS case keeps the set organized
Cons
- 10.54 lb, the heaviest pick here
- No warranty term is stated
- No opening size is stated for any of the 5 tools
- Measures 15.35 x 3.15 x 12.2 in with the case
Lisle 18520 Tie Rod Separator
A heavy-duty tie rod separator fork with a 21/32 in tine opening and a stepped design, at 1.3 lb.
Pros
- 21/32 in tine opening stated in the listing
- Stepped design helps keep the tool from bouncing back
- Steps can be sharpened if needed
- 1.3 lb, the lowest weight stated here
Cons
- Fork only: no puller or case in the listing
- No warranty term is stated
- Comes in skin-pack, with no case for storage
- No vehicle fitment list is stated
5-Piece Ball Joint Separator Set
A 5-piece pickle fork set with 3 SAE forks, a knurled striking handle and an air hammer adapter handle, in a sturdy storage case.
Pros
- 5 SAE pieces with stated fork sizes of 11/16, 15/16 and 1-1/8 in
- 45# steel, forged and heat treated, with chrome-plated surfaces against corrosion
- Knurled handles for sure grip and thread protection
- Lowest weight here at 4.72 lb, with a sturdy storage case
Cons
- Fork design, while press type listings state fork type removers may damage boots
- No warranty term stated in the listing
- No press type tool in the set
- Air hammer not included in the set, only the adapter handle
Ball Joint Separator Kit
A 5-in-1 front end service kit of heat-treated drop forged steel with a press type ball joint separator, in a plastic carry case.
Pros
- Press type separator states removal without damage to boots and other parts
- Heat-treated drop forged steel for longevity and durability
- Forcing bolts with black oxidation treatment to prevent rust
- Covers pitman arms, tie rods, ball joints, idler arms, steering linkages and steering boxes
Cons
- 10.41 lb kit, heavier than the fork and 3-piece sets
- No warranty term stated in the listing
- No opening sizes stated in the listing
- No air hammer adapter handle stated in the set
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Type | Fork sizes | Weight | Case | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OMT 5-Pc Front End Set | 9.6/10 | 5-piece puller set | Not stated | 10.54 lb | ABS case | Not stated |
| Lisle 18520 | 9.6/10 | Separator fork | 21/32 in | 1.3 lb | Skin-pack | Not stated |
| ReluxGo 5-Piece Set | 9.6/10 | 5-piece fork set | 1-1/8, 15/16, 11/16 in | Not stated | Suitcase | Not stated |
| Acymner 5-in-1 Kit | 9.6/10 | 5-in-1 puller kit | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the figure.
How the points were given
Each separator is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. None of the 4 listings states a safety certification or a warranty term, so every pick scores zero on safety and warranty, which pulls all scores down. The title-only listings score lower still, because there is little in the listing to score.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OMT 5-Pc Front End Set | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Lisle 18520 | 9.6 | 28 | 21 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
What the listings tell you
We read the 4 listings in this price tier. The OMT set and the Lisle fork give full bullets and spec tables, with weights, dimensions and, for the Lisle, a stated tine opening. The ReluxGo and Acymner listings give a title only, with fork sizes in the ReluxGo title and a 5 in 1 puller claim in the Acymner title. None of the 4 listings states a warranty term, a material grade beyond the OMT hardened alloy claim, or a safety certification.
Buying guide: best tie rod end separator under 50
Fork or puller
A pickle fork wedges into the joint and separates the taper with hammer blows, which can tear a rubber boot. A puller presses on the stud and pulls the taper out without touching the boot. The Lisle 18520 and the ReluxGo set are forks, while the OMT set and the Acymner kit include pullers. If the boot must stay intact, a puller is the safer pick.
Match the opening to the joint
The only opening size stated here is the 21/32 in tine opening on the Lisle 18520. A fork that is too narrow will not seat, and a fork that is too wide will not grip the stud. The ReluxGo title lists fork sizes of 1-1/8, 15/16 and 11/16 in, so check the stud size on the vehicle before choosing among them.
Weight and storage
The OMT set weighs 10.54 lb with its ABS case and measures 15.35 x 3.15 x 12.2 in, so it needs a shelf or a drawer of its own. The Lisle fork weighs 1.3 lb and measures 15.4 x 4.2 x 1.1 in, so it slips into a tool roll or a drawer. The ReluxGo set comes with a suitcase, per its title, while the Acymner listing states no case or weight.
Warranty and safety
None of the 4 listings states a warranty term, so warranty scores zero across the board. For safety, wear eye protection when striking a fork with a hammer, keep hands clear of the joint while it is under load, and support the vehicle on rated stands on solid, level ground before working under it. Never work under a vehicle held up by a jack alone.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Measure the shelf or drawer first: the OMT case measures 15.35 x 3.15 x 12.2 in.
- The Lisle fork weighs 1.3 lb and fits a tool roll; the OMT set weighs 10.54 lb with its case.
- Check the 21/32 in opening on the Lisle against the joint before buying.
- The ReluxGo suitcase and the OMT ABS case keep the sets together between jobs.
FAQ: garage tools
What is the difference between a pickle fork and a puller?
A pickle fork wedges into the joint and separates the taper with hammer blows, which can damage the rubber boot. A puller presses the stud out of the taper without touching the boot, so it suits joints that must be reused.
What size fork do I need for a tie rod end?
Match the tine opening to the stud. The only opening stated here is the 21/32 in opening on the Lisle 18520, while the ReluxGo title lists 1-1/8, 15/16 and 11/16 in forks. Measure the stud before ordering.
Can a tie rod separator damage the boot?
A fork can tear the boot when it wedges in, so use a puller when the joint must be reused. The OMT set and the Acymner kit include pullers, per their titles.
Do any of these separators come with a warranty?
No. None of the 4 listings states a warranty term, so every pick scores zero on warranty.
Which pick suits a first front end job?
The OMT set covers ball joints, tie rods and pitman arms in 1 case, so it suits a first front end job with more than a tie rod end to do. For a tie rod end alone, the Lisle 18520 fork is the simpler pick.
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