Ok so Im new at this. I need to get a couple pieces off I unbolted them, but the bolt turns with the piece. obv. im missing somthing here
How do i disconnect these peices from one another...







-Andrew

 

I'm guessing that you're asking how to separate the steering linkage. All of those ball studs are friction fit. If you don't have a tierod puller you are going to at least need a balljoint splitter, some people call them a pickle fork. You will probably end up tearing the grease boots.

 

yeah we call them pickle forks. idk you could try to be careful and use a pry-bar and a ballpin hammer. i wouldnt suggest doin it, but when your desperate...........

 

yeah what they said, you need to go rent or buy a picle fork. Make sure you tell the parts guy what your working on and which part of the steering linkage you are replacing because there are several different sizes.

 

a hammer always works for me!

 

done that my self. good sharp hit with a lump hammer or ballpeen hammer and they pop right out.

 

I always just leave the nut threaded on so that the end of the bolt is even with the top of the nut. Couple good whacks with the trusty BFH and it pops right apart. Getting the nuts back on tight enough when putting it back together, now that is another story.....

 

Hmm im trying to do it without a pickle fork at the moment. It doesnt seem to be budging? Im not sure if im doing what im supposed to be doing, could somone elaborate on their techniques?

Thank you very much,
-Andrew

 

Partly thread a nut onto the bolt and hit it with a hammer. Odds are good that if its as stubborn as those I have worked on before you will deform the nut. If it doesn't come out just hit it harder until it does. If that fails, it is rare if it does, you may have to look at making a press rig. A C-clamp and some metal blocks can be an effective pressing rig.

 

For as much as you have it disconnected, I would support the pieces with a scrap block of wood or something to keep the linkage from moving too much as you smack it with the hammer. You want to hit the nut as squarely as possible. Don't worry about being too rough with it. They can take a lot of abuse, and if you would happen to deform the nut, you can pick up extras for real cheap at the local parts store.

 

Ok thanks guys i got one of them off. I do however have one problem. I can't get the drivers side link. This is because of a bracket in the way. I unbolted 2 out of 3 of the bolts holding the bracket in place, but I can't get the third one out. Ive been out there for almost an hour. There is not one angle where I can get a good push from, the good ol' pipe even failed to do the job. So can I disconnect the linkage from the bottom of this? And how do I do that?



thanks again,
-Andrew

 

You can't move the bracket out of the way? You REALLY don't want to try removing the arm from the steering gear. Not without the puller for it. I did it, but I bent a prybar, a large scredriver, and banged the arm all up. It took me almost 8 hours to get that damn thing off.

Can you turn the steering wheel? That arm moves back and forth, if you turn the wheel to the right all the way, it should move the linkage out from underneath that support bracket enough that you can get it disconnected. Just make sure you have both tie rod ends disconnected from the spindles so the wheels dont turn.

 

Oh jesus. I am such an idiot! I didn't even think of that! DUH.
Im going to go try that out.. holy crap.

THANKS!
-Andrew

 

when I use a hammer to remove tie rods I hit it on the spindle or on the centerlink right on the side of the ball joint tapper. dont hit the threads even with the nut on youll most likely deform the threads and wont be able to reuse the parts. also gravity helps to pull the part down so leave the nut on 2-3 threads to catch the piece as it falls

 

That's why I said to leave the nut threaded on so that its even with the end of the threads. That way you still hit the top of the threaded shaft and the nut prevents you from accidentally hitting the threads and damaging them. Also keeps it from falling all the way out like you said.

 

I GOT EVERYTHING OUT!! THANKS GUYS!!

Especially with the "turn the steering wheel" part... jeez.
Well it's only my first time, so I guess I should expect overlooking the simple solutions.








Again, thanks alot!
-Andrew

 

I understand what you meant its just that if you hit the nut to hard or off center you can still mess up the threads. when I have no choice and have to hit something on the threads I like to use something softer on the threads then steel, usually a brass punch or a piece of aluminum so the threads dont get messed up

 

wshbrn91 - Sometimes the simplest solutions are the hardest to find. I have to admit, I didn't think of it till I was ready to submit the post. I had to go back and add it back in.

50bmgshooter - I know what you mean. My problem is, I tend to do more damage when the punch slips off the side than hitting things straight on. Your right about using the softer metal though. That's the "correct" way to do it assuming you don't have a separator.