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So i want to remove my centre link, it needs to be replaced.
got all the bolts off, but now i’m litterly stuck.
how do I remove the centre link? Any tips to get it to budge?
Used a hammer and little tapping, that didn’t work
Those studs are wedge shaped. Tightening the nut drives them into the hole and retains them. A good soaking in PB Blaster or Kroil or something similar (not WD-40) overnight will help.
Do the tie rod ends first. Put the nut on them upside-down ("castle" feature pointed inward) until it's a couple of threads short of exposing the stud; put a large pry tool such as a tire iron between the center link and the tie rod, and pry; while prying, tap on the nut. For the Pitman and idler arms, use a BFH and hit the center link near the stud. Be careful not to damage the end of any stud you have to re-use (the tie rod ones).
There are also "tie rod remover" tools that you can "rent", that are like a little press you can put on there. Just be careful not to mushroom the end of the stud with it.
Your tie rod ends are probably just as old as your center link. You should replace those at the same time anyway. Makes the best sense to take that whole long assembly out as a single piece, lay all your new pieces next to it, assemble it all together to the same lengths, and put it back in that way.
Then of course go STRAIGHT TO the alignment shop. Have them align it to:
Those studs are wedge shaped. Tightening the nut drives them into the hole and retains them. A good soaking in PB Blaster or Kroil or something similar (not WD-40) overnight will help.
Do the tie rod ends first. Put the nut on them upside-down ("castle" feature pointed inward) until it's a couple of threads short of exposing the stud; put a large pry tool such as a tire iron between the center link and the tie rod, and pry; while prying, tap on the nut. For the Pitman and idler arms, use a BFH and hit the center link near the stud. Be careful not to damage the end of any stud you have to re-use (the tie rod ones).
There are also "tie rod remover" tools that you can "rent", that are like a little press you can put on there. Just be careful not to mushroom the end of the stud with it.
Your tie rod ends are probably just as old as your center link. You should replace those at the same time anyway. Makes the best sense to take that whole long assembly out as a single piece, lay all your new pieces next to it, assemble it all together to the same lengths, and put it back in that way.
Then of course go STRAIGHT TO the alignment shop. Have them align it to:
the tie rods are the ‘bars’ that go from the wheels to the Centre link
Yes. Each one is 3 pieces: inner, outer, and adjusting sleeve. Get new sleeves; not because they are worn out or anything, but because it's A WHOLE LOT easier to just put together new stuff, than it is to take apart the old. Besides, if you take it apart, you lose the length. It's better to just lay the parts next to each other and make them the same, than to try to "measure" it somehow.
04-19-2020, 08:20 AM
