Aloha,

I am sure there is a quick answer to this so thank you in advance. I looked and couldn't find anything that covers replacement of the center link.

With a tie rod I could bang on the bolt head after the nut was removed and finally get the old rod decompressed and off...

With the center link, however, it is seemingly impossible to do the same thing because the bolts stick up and I can't get any leverage from the top. So the question is how do I get the bolts to loosen up?

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Thanks,
Will

1985 300D- 222k- (bad transmission)
1980 300D- (parts car)
1982 300SD- 242k

two hammers.
one on the side of the part the bolt goes through, and one hit the opposite side.
pops it right out. do not hit the bolt itself, this causes it to bind.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You can buy what is usually called a "pickle fork" which is a U-shaped tool with a taper on each side that is pounded in and forces the two parts apart. This many times tears the boot, but if you are replacing it anyway, doesn't make a difference. Another crude method is to get a bar between the arm and tie-rod end to apply leverage while you pound on the side of the arm with the through hole for the rod end. And of course there are dedicated custom removers if you want to pay the money.

Pickle fork will work. Dry ice will make it come out like it was never stuck before.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42