how the hell do i get the damn things to go back into that hole?! the puller tool i bought wont work the other way around

 

You stick it in the hole, tighten the nut to torque specs (40 ft-lbs) and stick a cotter pin in it. If the holes don't line up, tighten it some more until it does (exceeding 40 ft-lb torque). Never back off to align the hole and the castellated nut.

Is there something I'm missing?

 

i cant tighten the bolts if they dont go thoughthe centerlink

 

Well... why aren't they going through the hole? Are they not lined up right, or is the threaded section of the joint too big? If you are having an issue with the correct postion just turn the steering a little to get them to line up! If the hole is the wrong size then I would guess you were given the wrong part. I can't see any other reason why it wont go back together, unless you are accidently trying to put it back together incorrectly!

 

Did you by any chance just install a new centerlink? If so, it may be on 'backwards' and have the tapered hole facing the wrong direction. It should be 'curved' towards the crossmember.

Pete

 

yep.... thats what i did

 

I'm good.

Sorry.....