Samson3113

Hi Folks

Trying to remove 30 year old Steering Stabilizer. Having trouble getting driver side off. Do not want to damage it in case my new one does not install correctly.

Any ideas on how to remove driver's side. It looks like the bolt is pressed in. Have tried some pounding to no avail. Tough when your on your back.

Any help appreciated

Thanks
Jim

bpealer

It's pressed in like a ball joint or tie rod. I rented one for about $12 from autozone. I ended up using a pitman arm puller because of the wierd angle. Comes off real easy and won't damage the threads.

TransAmBandit

I hit mine with a sledge on the stud to remove it on my pickup. But I wasn't gonna reuse it since I needed to get rid of it for the motor swap.

Samson3113

Do you guys know if that front round piece (on the driver side) is a cap of some sort ? Do I have to remove it also ?

Thanks
Jim

Samson3113

Thanks bpealer

Samson3113

Thanks TransAmBandit

I tried a 4lb sledge but its tuff when you are on your back :-)

scope103

Don't use a sledge hammer; as TransAmBandit pointed out, it will ruin the end of the stud and the damper can't be reused. More importantly, impact like that will probably ruin the hanger, too. Then where would you be?

Don't use a "pickle fork." http://www.minimania.com/part/660490...r-Mini--Cooper Nothing says "amateur" like that "tool."

Here's a pitman arm puller like bpealer referred to. http://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod...ller-1752.html For $15.00 to buy, it's hard to justify renting one. Put it on, crank on it with a socket, bam! It will come right off without tearing the heck out of your rig.

Samson3113

Thanks scope103.. Any input on my question about the outer disc on the stabilizer ?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

That is all one piece what your looking at is the back of the stud where it was pressed in .

It all comes out together and stays on the steering damper

You have sprayed this with your penetrating spray of choice ??

Coming from an Amateur I doubt you would take my advice.

I use pickle forks all the time!!

Unless I am taking parts off That I know I am going to reuse.

After 40 years I doubt I will change

bpealer

Yea I almost always keep the rental tool to save me a trip later on.

Samson3113

Thanks wyoming9

Samson3113

I understand the premise of the tool, but have never used one. I am looking at the pitman arm puller and my problem area and I don't see how that tool is suppose to fit on the stabilizer. Their is a nut on the back side that I can get off with the cotter pin. I am not sure how to position the puller so that it pulls the stabilizer away from the hole where the bolt goes into.

scope103

C'mon, just google "Pitman Arm Puller."

Once you back off (DON'T remove) the nut, the center shaft of the puller PUSHES on the threaded stud (with the arms PULLING on the damper mount, not the damper).

You leave the nut on because (as you know) it's on there pretty tight, and when it lets go you want it to move 1/2" and stop. Not fly across the garage.

Samson3113

Thanks scope103
sorry.....did not understand what to clamp it to


got it now


thanks

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

We all learn at one time or another .

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Another thing I always remove the right side first.

The steering Damper is under tension not much but enough to fight against trying to remove the left side First

I can`t ever remember needing a puller after spraying just pop them out with a pry bar.

TransAmBandit

If you left the castle but on it and gave it a few whacks with a sledge I feel like it should still save it as you aren't mushrooming down the stud itself. I don't remember how much space you would have to hit it with the motor in, as I removed mine with the motor already out.

punks_is_4x4

There's a cotter pin and castle nut on the back that can be a huge pain to get out before u use the pickle fork or tie rod puller I just did this and replaced it with a moog one

Samson3113

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and input. Got the old one out and the new one in on Saturday. Got a loaner pittman arm puller from Oreilly's. Did the trick.

Thanks Again
Jim

scope103

Thanks for the report back.

Since you took so many good pictures (and did a fair amount of research to get there), consider writing up a step-by-step. Cover the parts that were surprising to you (like how to use a puller, where to get it); if they surprised you, they'll surprise someone else. You don't need to use EVERY picture.

Here is a good place to post whatever you come up with.