E350 center drag link - how to remove?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Iowa City
E350 center drag link - how to remove?
I'v removed both cotter pins and nuts, but I can barely even swing a hammer up in there and I'm not sure I should be with the steering box absorbing alot of the shock.
All I want to do is replace the center link but it looks like I might have to remove the tie rod ends (fun but at least the steering box is farther away) and pitman arm from the box (rent a puller) just to get the entire assembly in a vise to wrestle the inner ball joint tapered ends from the tapered holes.
Any suggestions on pullers or tricks to separate the pitman arm from the center drag link and the left link from the center link? Not sure I want to use forks since they will destroy the rubber boot unless I can replace. Iv had it all soaking in PB for a week now, but without the nuts loose. Can I reinstall the nuts and leave them 1/4 turn loose with the cotter pin keeping them and hope it loosens with a drive around town like the wheel lug nut rim removal trick?
Thanks
All I want to do is replace the center link but it looks like I might have to remove the tie rod ends (fun but at least the steering box is farther away) and pitman arm from the box (rent a puller) just to get the entire assembly in a vise to wrestle the inner ball joint tapered ends from the tapered holes.
Any suggestions on pullers or tricks to separate the pitman arm from the center drag link and the left link from the center link? Not sure I want to use forks since they will destroy the rubber boot unless I can replace. Iv had it all soaking in PB for a week now, but without the nuts loose. Can I reinstall the nuts and leave them 1/4 turn loose with the cotter pin keeping them and hope it loosens with a drive around town like the wheel lug nut rim removal trick?
Thanks
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From: Iowa City
Iv removed the cotter pins and nuts in the picture. How do I separate the components? I don't see how I could show or ask any clearer.
The brown bar in the fore ground is the center steering link (which actually is the right tie rod and connects to the BJ and pitman.) The oily bar behind is the left steering link (cant find that part on rockauto)
The brown bar in the fore ground is the center steering link (which actually is the right tie rod and connects to the BJ and pitman.) The oily bar behind is the left steering link (cant find that part on rockauto)
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From: Isanti, MN
From what you describe a pickle fork may be your best option, but you'll trash the boots with that. If you're not replacing the joints you may need to find a way to get a puller in there. I use .
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From: Iowa City
Iv heard advanced auto loans out specialty tools. Maybe they have the one I need because I don't need the pitman puller yet. But I wonder if that approach (pitman and tie rod ends) would have been better and pull it all out. Then separate.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lakefield Ontario
Hey rebar, I just did mine and used a pickle fork.
I bought a nice kit that allows the fork to be attached to an air hammer or be hit with a Hammer. Took a bit but it popped out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-tie-rods.html
I bought a nice kit that allows the fork to be attached to an air hammer or be hit with a Hammer. Took a bit but it popped out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-tie-rods.html
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Senior User
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From: Iowa City
Hey rebar, I just did mine and used a pickle fork.
I bought a nice kit that allows the fork to be attached to an air hammer or be hit with a Hammer. Took a bit but it popped out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-tie-rods.html
I bought a nice kit that allows the fork to be attached to an air hammer or be hit with a Hammer. Took a bit but it popped out.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-tie-rods.html
Yup.. That's the center link I need to replace, but it looks like you removed the tie rod end B.J. also when I planned on unscrewing the link from the turn buckle instead since the tie rod BJ's are ok.
I have the nuts turned one slot loose with cotter pins back in hoping a little more PB blaster gets in there while driving around town.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
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From: Eastern TN
Autozone lends tools at no charge. You pay for the tool and get a refund when you bring it back in decent shape. The tools are generally better quality than what they offer for sale on the floor.
This type of separator is good if you can get the fixed jaw into place -
Note that the nut is still loosely in place so the parts that come loose don't smack you in the face.
Harbor Freight used to sell a set for cheap enough that you wouldn't mind taking the fixed jaw to a grinding wheel so it fits. I don't see it on their website today.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
This type of separator is good if you can get the fixed jaw into place -
Note that the nut is still loosely in place so the parts that come loose don't smack you in the face.
Harbor Freight used to sell a set for cheap enough that you wouldn't mind taking the fixed jaw to a grinding wheel so it fits. I don't see it on their website today.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Iowa City
You know, I called all over and could only find the pitman puller. Even though my steering box is so far up there I cant even get the puller on.. I bought it for $15
Where can I buy the puller you have in the pic? Nice.
Where can I buy the puller you have in the pic? Nice.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
This is one option - 22mm Universal Ball Joint Tie Rod End Separator Remover Puller | eBay
This is another - Ball Joint Separator Tool 19mm Benz VW BMW Etc | eBay - since E150 tie rod ends are the size of passenger car ball joints.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
This is another - Ball Joint Separator Tool 19mm Benz VW BMW Etc | eBay - since E150 tie rod ends are the size of passenger car ball joints.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 150
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From: Iowa City
This is one option - 22mm Universal Ball Joint Tie Rod End Separator Remover Puller | eBay
This is another - Ball Joint Separator Tool 19mm Benz VW BMW Etc | eBay - since E150 tie rod ends are the size of passenger car ball joints.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
This is another - Ball Joint Separator Tool 19mm Benz VW BMW Etc | eBay - since E150 tie rod ends are the size of passenger car ball joints.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
I might be better off buying a few locally so I can return the ones that dont fit easy.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
This didn't show in searches for 'ball joint' but it might do the job - 3/4" Forged Ball Point Joint Separator . There's a Harbor Freight store in Cedar Rapids. Mind HF tools are typically of dubious quality. If you like it, wait for a sale and buy 3 or 4 more :/
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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