Draglink Castle Nut Stuck!
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4wd Low
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
Draglink Castle Nut Stuck!
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
I'm attempting to remove the draglink on my 02' 7.3 4WD, and I've hit a bit of a snag. The castle nut holding the draglink to the tierod end on the passenger wheel will not come off. I've removed the cotter pin, and when I put a wrench to it, the bolt and nut spin as one. I can't get enough torque on the castle nut to break it loose without the bolt spinning, and the space is too tight to get my impact gun on it. I've got it soaking in PB blaster and I've tried turning the steering wheel to put tension on the joint. Any thoughts?
I'm attempting to remove the draglink on my 02' 7.3 4WD, and I've hit a bit of a snag. The castle nut holding the draglink to the tierod end on the passenger wheel will not come off. I've removed the cotter pin, and when I put a wrench to it, the bolt and nut spin as one. I can't get enough torque on the castle nut to break it loose without the bolt spinning, and the space is too tight to get my impact gun on it. I've got it soaking in PB blaster and I've tried turning the steering wheel to put tension on the joint. Any thoughts?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 661
Likes: 8
From: Ontario , Canada
I take it you're replacing tie rod ends and drag links etc? You can heat the nut up to help break it free. You can also place a floor jack under the tie rod end....jack it up a little to put pressure on the tapered bolt/joint bolt of the tie rod. This will help hold the bolt in place hopefully.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Welcome to FTE. 
Do you have an impact wrench? Definitely worth the investment, Dewalt 20V, Milwaukee etc. Using a jack can work, put a box wrench on it first then the jack, smacking the wrench may be enough to break it loose...
Do you have an impact wrench? Definitely worth the investment, Dewalt 20V, Milwaukee etc. Using a jack can work, put a box wrench on it first then the jack, smacking the wrench may be enough to break it loose...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
If it's spinning on the tapered end where it goes into the knuckle then it needs to be replaced anyway. Once you have it loose and out check the knuckle for any excessive wear or distortion. That drag link end should fit tightly in the tapered socket and not turn. If it does you can have serious problems down the road.
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