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#1
11-06-2011, 09:59 AM
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Problem Removing Center Link!
I was replacing the steering components on my 85 300TD... tie rods, idler arm bushings, center link. Tie rods popped off easily with a pickle fork. The center link is another story.... Fork, BFH, PBblaster, heat, you name it- I tried it.... for hours. Eventually I took a hacksaw to the damn thing and amputated it where it connects to the pitman arm. OOPS! I thought I'd be able to tap it through from the bottom... but of course it's too wide and only meant to slide downwards from the pittman. Now i have this bolt stuck in the Pittman arm and, as you know, have no clearance from above. What to do? EASY-OUT? Remove the Pittman arm? Please, I appreciate all suggestions.
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#2
11-06-2011, 10:53 AM
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I think you may have to pull the pitman arm now to get that out of it. Make sure the orientation of the splines is well marked for putting it back on. You may need a pitman arm puller to do this. Heavy hammering on the steering box arm is not such a hot ideal in my opinion.
If I am wrong someone out there correct me. Last edited by barry123400; 11-06-2011 at 11:04 AM.
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#3
11-06-2011, 01:04 PM
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Can you use a pulley puller to push out the remaining pin?
 In the future, try a tool like this instead of a pickle fork -  The advantage is you can put pressure on the tight joint then smack the the joint in the transverse direction to pop out the pin. Sixto 87 300D
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#5
11-07-2011, 09:13 AM
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I just bought an easy-out drill. Fingers crossed....
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#6
11-07-2011, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
My klann tie rod popper is a lifesaver. bought it here on the forum. worth every penny. INSTANLY pops any tie rod.
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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!
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#7
11-07-2011, 09:21 AM
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THIS is the one I bought here. first one on the list.
it's got a ball bearing in the end of the bolt, and the pivot is adjustable for large or small pins!
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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!
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#8
11-07-2011, 11:50 AM
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Yikes! $200! It looks like that will get the job done though... I'm gonna call Phil. Thanks...
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#9
11-07-2011, 11:54 AM
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You can probably rent a version of that at your local auto parts store.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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#10
11-07-2011, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
NAPA AUTO PARTS or Last edited by tangofox007; 11-07-2011 at 12:46 PM.
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#11
11-07-2011, 02:27 PM
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Quote:
I paid around $60 for mine... I'm guessing that's a list price or something. Phil can do better I'm sure. the one on ebay is likely either a cheaper metal or weak in some way, but it appears identical to mine. aside from the manufacturers name of course...
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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!
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#12
11-09-2011, 10:58 AM
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UPDATE: I bought NAPA's version of this ball joint separator tool for $28. The stuck center link bolt popped right out with a little elbow grease. Thanks, guys!
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#13
11-09-2011, 11:05 AM
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I'm glad to hear you got the problem fixed.
I hope you didn't damage the Pitman arm with your first attempts - this is a mission critical component!
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior  Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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#14
11-09-2011, 02:05 PM
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my NAPA tool could not pop my tie rod from the idler arm, got the car on a lift, the mechanic had to use two huge hammers to pop the pin.
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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model) 1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017) 2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)
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#15
11-09-2011, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
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