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Steering Linkage Removal
Materials used :
- Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
- Jack and jack-stands
- Grease gun
- Heavy gear-lube
- Tap-hammer
- Bench vise
- Replacement steering center pivot-pin
- Replacement bearings
- Replacement cotter pins
- Anti-seize compound
- Eye protection
- Protective gloves
Note :
Always wear eye protection when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.
Procedure :
- To check the steering linkage beneath the car, begin by checking the amount of movement in the elements using a pry bar. Ours was extremely loose, indicating a bid center-steering pivot. The tie-rod ends, however, appeared to be in fairly good shape.
- To remove the steering linkage, you'll need to pull the front bumper, radiator and harmonic dampener. Once those parts are removed, the center pin can be loosened and dropped out.
With those parts removed, we discovered that our center pin was only being held in place and supported by a single cotter pin -- which was in fact an unreliable and unsafe situation. The part should actually be held secure by a castellated nut -- as seen on our replacement part. The cotter pin should only hold the nut in place, not the pin itself.
- To extract the center-pivot pin, remove the cotter pin (and castellated nut), then gently tap the top of the pin using a punch and hammer.
- Once removed, we could inspect our old pin for signs of wear -- which was significant.
- Next, pull the outer tie-rods. To properly release a tie-rod end, first pull the cotter pin using needle-nosed pliers.
- Then remove the castellated nut.
- With the nut removed, gently tap the tie-rod end
from the side to loosen the end from the cone-shaped fitting. Avoid hitting the tie-rod end from the top, as this could damage the threads.
- Repeat the process on the opposite side
- With the steering linkage free, the assembly can be released from the center-pivot and removed from underneath the car. Having an assistant to help lift out the assembly will make this job easier.
- In the segment that follows, Mark cleans and rebuilds the steering crank-arm assembly.
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