Tricks to remove centerlink?
5 posters
Page 1 of 1
Tricks to remove centerlink?
Been making good progress on my front suspension teardown until I decided to tackle removing my centerlink tonight. Used a variety of pickle forks, chisels and the BFH and the thing seems to almost be frozen in place (I would be the same after 43 years!). Thought about using a pitman arm puller to push the studs/bolts down but not sure if that is a viable option or not? Would I also gain anything by removing/loosening the idler arm bolts? Not sure if the centerlink has that much tension on it or what the deal is. I am replacing all steering components so I'm not concerned about damaging anything, just want the darn thing off of the car..
Thanks in advance..
Thanks in advance..
wbaker01- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
When I did mine I knocked out the tie rod ends unbolted the idler arm and knocked out the pitman arm and took it all out together.
ant7377- G3GM Addict
- Street Cred : 36
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
ant7377 wrote:When I did mine I knocked out the tie rod ends unbolted the idler arm and knocked out the pitman arm and took it all out together.
That's.exactly how I do it. No need to take it all apart. Take it out as a unit.
Last edited by Joe73 on Thu Oct 27, 2016 4:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Great suggestions guys and that's probably the way to go..I'm pulling my steering box as well so I can just do it all as one unit..
wbaker01- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Going to work on this tonight. I've looked up several methods anticipating it being a bear. I heard of people breaking pullers on it. I should probably spray something on it and let it soak in the next couple days instead of fooling with it tonight.
Damon23- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 5
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
In all my years I've never had a problem on any car. For something like a lower ball joint, I support the car under the frame behind the tire, put jack under lower control arm, loosen ball joint nut so I can see about 1/8" gap under the nut, lower the jack so there is a gap between it and the lower arm, then (if you dont have a pickle fork) hit the steering knuckle with a 3 or 5 pound hammer a bunch of times. The joint will pop and the nut will be flush to the knuckle again. Then proceed with the repair.
As for steering components, I loosen the nut to have a gap under it, use a 3 foot piece of something to apply force to pull the joint apart, then hit the joint with the same hammer. Sometimes it takes alot of blows but it works every time.
Steering joints are a cone shaped friction fit. I think it would be pretty hard for any penetrating lube to get in there.
As for steering components, I loosen the nut to have a gap under it, use a 3 foot piece of something to apply force to pull the joint apart, then hit the joint with the same hammer. Sometimes it takes alot of blows but it works every time.
Steering joints are a cone shaped friction fit. I think it would be pretty hard for any penetrating lube to get in there.
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Using a bucking bar one one side of it, and a big hammer on the other side, usually knocks the taper loose & it just falls out
Bucking bar can be anything heavy, like even a bigger hammer etc
Joints that have the threaded end down, can be made loose with an air hammer, using a flat ended set. I use a rivet gun, which works good also
. I recently used my rivet gun and a flat ended set on exhaust manifold studs that were bad rusted. A few seconds of that on the end of the stud, loosens the rust in the threads, and the stud can be removed by just turning it out by hand.
Bucking bar can be anything heavy, like even a bigger hammer etc
Joints that have the threaded end down, can be made loose with an air hammer, using a flat ended set. I use a rivet gun, which works good also
. I recently used my rivet gun and a flat ended set on exhaust manifold studs that were bad rusted. A few seconds of that on the end of the stud, loosens the rust in the threads, and the stud can be removed by just turning it out by hand.
pila- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 43
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Alright. Just changed out the centerlink and tie rods. Like said above a pickle fork got it where I could see a slight gap then used a 5lbs sledge and it popped right out. LOL it even broke loose the tie rod end on that side to the center link. Everything is in and greased up. Just needs that home alignment and I can test drive it.
Damon23- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 5
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Air hammer and a bit more force got it off..Guess i was being too gentle with it last night..Funny thing is my dad was a car guy and would always run into obstacles like this. His thought process would be to work on the issue until you've exhausted your options and then call it a day. Come back the next day with a new perspective on things and that would typically yield a solution. Guess that's called taking a step back and approaching the issue with a new perspective..
wbaker01- G3GM Member
- Street Cred : 0
Re: Tricks to remove centerlink?
Just for clarification for those who may try this. When using the big hammer you hit the SIDE of the part that the threaded part GOES INTO. Like stated above for the ball joint. Your hitting the steering knuckle.
Never hit the threads or the nut end, it will just peen it over and then it wont come out easy even when loose.
Hit the side and keep pressure on it while hitting.
Just FYI
Never hit the threads or the nut end, it will just peen it over and then it wont come out easy even when loose.
Hit the side and keep pressure on it while hitting.
Just FYI
Joe73- Donating Member
- Street Cred : 83
Similar topics
» steering centerlink question
» how to remove my rear brake drums
» trying to remove my 73 SS door panel
» how to remove my rear brake drums
» trying to remove my 73 SS door panel
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|
Today at 3:08 pm by 454fourspeedss
» 1973 Monte Carlo dash emblem wanted
Today at 2:50 pm by 454fourspeedss
» Chevelle Power Trunk Release
Today at 2:16 pm by 76Chevelle2Tone
» I need some encouragement with my 73 Laguana
Today at 9:51 am by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac
» 73 laguna trim
Today at 12:44 am by Mcarlo77
» fuel gauge malfunction?
Thu Oct 03, 2024 5:44 pm by 76Chevelle2Tone
» G3 Chevy rims- help ID these
Mon Sep 30, 2024 12:49 am by Limey SE
» Buckskin vinyl washout
Thu Sep 26, 2024 10:43 am by Mcarlo77
» You know I love a good bike
Thu Sep 26, 2024 6:22 am by Finn Monte
» MONTE FRONT BUMPER TUCK
Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:55 am by Finn Monte