Steering Linkage Disassembly

[Conner]

Yesterday I made some good progress disassembling the lion's share of my front end suspension. The only thing remaining on the frame at this point is the idler box and the two rods attached to either end of it (passenger-side only).

I am having the hardest time disengaging the cross rod and right-side rod from the idler arm. I removed the pins and the nuts from the ends of the threaded vertical bolts that go through the ends of the idler arm. I just can't seem to get the rod ends out of the idler arm ends. I pounded with a mallet for quite some time with no luck. On the driver's side I had no trouble--a couple of taps with the mallet and out they came. Without removing the rods there is no way to free the idler box from the frame.

Anybody have any tips or tricks for this? I'm really close to having the frame totally apart.

Thank you.

[S Allen]

As you have discovered those can be a bear to bust loose. Some people swear by a pickle fork but I do more damage than good with a pickle fork. I use two BFH's and a propane torch to throw some heat in the mix. Heat up with propane torch and then whack on it with one hammer while the other hammer rests against the opposite side. I have used this method successfully many times and have yet to damage a part. Some connections make take several attempts at heating and whacking before finally coming loose. You will burn up the rubber boots if there are any left but since you are taking it apart replacing these boots is part of the restoration.

Steve

[Conner]

Thanks.
I assume BFH is "Big F'ing Hammer."
I'll keep at it and try the heat and hammers.

[S Allen]

Right you are about the BFH. I have a couple of large ball peens I use but you get the idea. The second hammer helps as it gets shocked by the blow from the striking hammer.

Steve

[JoeK]

I'd be one of those that swear by the pickle fork. But it will destroy your rubber boots, which as, Steve points out, you will probably replace anyhow.

[TR]

I've seen something that looks like a pickle fork rigged into a pneumatic chisel, super low impact and worked with very, very little effort...

[Conner]

Well I got the RH tie rod off the idler arm...using a pulley puller. There wasn't any room to get anything else in there (including much of a hammer blow). With that off I was able to work the idler box and cross rod out of the frame. Still working on that one.