CTB

Hey guys,

Alright, I'm in the middle of replacing my steering stabilizer, and I need some help or tips. I have removed the end of the stock stabilizer from the frame, but I couldn't get the end out that is connected to the other steering linkage...it was stuck good! So, I decided to use a hacksaw to cut the bolt/joint. Those of you with 2nd Gen's who have done this mod probably know exactly what I'm talking about!

Anyway, know how should i get the remaining part of the stud out (what is still inside the steering link and the threaded back side of the stud)?...a big punch/drift, small propane torch, and other ideas?

I'm at a standstill till I can get this one figured out guys. It had been a really productive day till I got stuck on this. Anyway, any tips or help y'all could give me would be awesome. Thanks so much guys...I promise to post pics when I get this all done. Take care fellas-

Cody

Flygtenstein

Heat it and beat it.

Mine took a lot of whacking and the last one that popped it seemed no different from any of the others.

rchavis

When I did mine, I did not cut the bolt or use heat. I used a tie rod end separator. came right off.
At this point you may want to try using a punch to remove the stud.

CTB

Thanks guys.

I went out tonight and bought a propane torch and a set of brass drifts. I will try heating it up (about how long should I put heat on it?), and then try to beat it out with the drift. Also, I assume a hand-held propane torch should be sufficient..right?

Thanks again for the help guys..this thing is a real bugger!

Cody

P.S. - Hey Adrian, what kind of disco's are you running on your front swaybar?

Yoter

How do you know when its going out?

Jonathan

Did the torch work Cody? I hope so man, I didn't see any other way of getting that thing out of there. Give me a call tomorrow and let me know how it went.

P.S. My Hellas didn't come in today so hopefully they will get here on Monday. I'm probably gonna do those and the grill so I'm gonna need your help soon if you can before you go back to school. Call me and we'll work it out.

CTB

Hey Jonathan,

Thanks again for your help today bud...couldnt' have done it all without ya.

Anyway, the torch was out of gas...so that gave me an excuse to buy my own tonight! That will be the first thing I try in the morning, then I will try to beat it out with the new brass drifts I got.

I will be glad to help you with the Hella's (but now it looks like I'll be leaving town sometime on the 1st....got a ticket to the Peach Bowl!). Anyway, I'll give you a call tomorrow after we get that bugger on!

Cody

P.S. - 45 freakin' minutes with the hack saw!!! It needs a new blade now! :pat:

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Cody, did you see the write-up in Tech too?

It's in the Off Road Enhancements area.

Jonathan

Yeah Corey. Me and Cody worked on his truck all day and got every thing done except the steering stabilizer. We know how it disconnects, it just won't do it though. We hammered, PB blasted and even hacksawed and the end that connects to the steering linkage just won't let loose. I know that I wacked the thing myself as hard as I could and it just won't budge. Basically he just needs some ideas of how to get the thing loose. I think if he can get the torch up in there, it will probably do the trick and let loose. It's just old stuff up in there and it's all been connected for 8 or 9 years and doesn't want to let loose.

Cebby

If heat and beat doesn't work (I just beat mine out), the tie rod separator tool is the ticket. I've since bought and used the tie rod separator and wished I'd have gotten one when I did my stab.

Flygtenstein

I got it red hot with a little torch then flogged it with a pickle fork.

I used to have Rockstomper discos, then one of the heims broke and I said to heck with it and have been swaybarless for more than a year.

CTB

Alright, I've hit it with heat a few more times (how long is long enough with the propane torch?). Then, I also drilled a hold through it hoping to be able to cave it in a little and beat it out...didn't seem to help. It is really hard to get anything back behind the stud to beat it out...there just isn't much space - any suggestions? I can only get a hammer on it, but it is a really short swing. There isn't enough room to get a drift/punch on it. I'm running out of ideas fellas...getting close to taking it somewhere. Anyway, just thought I would check again. Thanks for the help so far!

Cody

P.S. - I don't have access to a pickle fork or tie-rod puller.

Cebby

You can buy a tie rod separatpr at any auto parts place for like $20 IIRC.

CTB

Cool, but....I no longer have that joint that was the other end of the steering stabilizer. I took the hacksaw to it and broke it off...I mistakingly thought I would be able to knock the stud out towards the rear, so I hacked off the joint to make that possible. Obviously, I was wrong. Anyway, off to try and beat some more before I go to Midas or something. Wish me luck...

CTB

Cebby

The tie rod separator pushes the stud out from behind the centerlink IIRC. I'll go shoot a pic of the tool I'm talking about. It does NOT work the same way as a pickle fork if thats what you are thinking. You don't need anything on the front part of the stud to get it out with the TRS. This stud is tapered BTW.

Cebby

OK, here's a pic of the tool:



You have the "ears' hold the edge of the centerlink around the stud and drive the threaded screw into the stud. It will pop it out eventually.

CTB

Cool, I'd appreciate that Cebby. Ya, I know it is tapered, so I know I have to beat on it at the rear (on the threaded part of the stud) so it will come on towards the front of the car. I just can't get much swing behind it to beat it out...I will probably head to Midas in a few minutes to see if they can get it out. Putting the new one in should only take about 5 minutes! It's just getting this damn old stud out.

If y'all really need a picture of what I'm talking about, I may be able to get one. Thanks guys-

Cody

CTB

Thanks man...I'm probably gonna run to Midas and see if they can get it out. If not, next stop will be AutoZone to see if I can buy/rent a tie-rod separator. Thanks again Cebby - I'll let y'all know the outcome eventually!

AgRunner06

I'm not sure if I'll be much help but I do have one suggestion. Try soaking it in some PB Blaster. That stuff works miracles.

Good Luck

CTB

Alright, got the old one out. I'll explain later...

Anyway, I can't get the new stud in for the life of me. Ya, I have it going in the right way, just in case you were worried!

I have pounded on it with a rubber mallet, used a piece of wood and a hammer, but can't seem to get the last 1/2" to slide into the link. Any suggestions guys???
Thanks

Cody

I'm damn close to just leaving the thing off...it wasn't too bad at all driving without one on!