Ok, i'm trying to change out my front end right now, and i can not get the centerlink seperated from the pitman arm. I'm not sure if the bolt is rusted in, or if it is simply pressed in unbeleivably hard. Any ideas? Would a ball joint fork work? I've tried hitting it from the top, and it wont budge. Help

 

Use the balljoint fork. It should pop it apart. That's how I did mine.

 

tried that, but it just started bending the fork. It is jammed in there. I eneded up leaving it on there, along with the idler arm. Don't know waht to do about those two parts. Got the tie rods installed though with no problems.

 

Get a small torch like a propane one and give it some heat. Maybe you can get it to expand, together with the pickle fork you should be able to separate them.

tj

 

good idea...i'll give that a try tomorrow.

 

Another way to get the pitman arm and center link separated is to use an air hammer with a straight shank that tapers down to a point. After you loosen the nut, screw it back on just a few threads. The nut will protect the threads from damage and also help you center the punch. Then just hit it straight down with the air hammer for several seconds and it should come undone quite quickly. I've used this method several times without fail when a separator fork wasn't working at all. Good luck!