Help removing steering stabilizer

[bigceltic]

I am replacing my factory/orig steering stabilizer with a Bilstein from Geno's, and I can't get it off! I have removed the bolt on the pass side, but I can't get other side out of the steering gear. See pic. Do I just us a BFH and bang away until it comes out? Heat it with a torch? Curse harder? I sprayed it with penetrating oil and will attack it in the morning. Any advice/tricks appreciated.

Thanks!

George

 

[bigceltic]

I am replacing my factory/orig steering stabilizer with a Bilstein from Geno's, and I can't get it off! I have removed the bolt on the pass side, but I can't get other side out of the steering gear. See pic. Do I just us a BFH and bang away until it comes out? Heat it with a torch? Curse harder? I sprayed it with penetrating oil and will attack it in the morning. Any advice/tricks appreciated.

Thanks!

George

Hello? Bueller? Buelller? Bueller? Ok, I guess BFH it is then.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hey George,
I broke my trusty, 30+ y/o, American made Pickle fork on that one! (previous abuse may have something to do with it..)
I ended up using my pitman arm puller to put a bunch of pressure on the threaded *stud and then wacking the female side with a hammer to shock it out.

*I had to cut off the hex part of the oem tie rod end to fit it in the tool.

Scott

 

[Ozymandias]

It is tapered, you need to do it with the same tool you use on the tierod ends.

 

[Wayne M.]

I changed mine long ago, but I recall using my 48oz and 24oz BFH’s and while backing up with the bigger FH, use the BFH to hit the drag link, effectively popping that tapered stud, like you would pop a tie rod. You might want to crank the wheel over to the left to make room.

 

[jgillott]

Give me a minute....let me find the link to the proper tool and I have a picture of it in action. Stand by.

On edit: I can't find the picture that I had on how to position it, but it is what I used and it works perfect. See link in the next post to the cheap tool I bought from amazon.

 

[jgillott]

This is the cheap puller you want

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O16UF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yep, the tool jgillott suggested is essentially the same thing I used.
It comes in handy for tie-rods too. Doesn't put nearly as much strain on surrounding parts as beating them out does.

 

[bigceltic]

Thanks! Appreciate the pointers. Will check the local auto parts store tomorrow.

 

[bigceltic]

This is the cheap puller you want

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O16UF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you. Ordering this now.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Re-read Wayne M. post again. Put the heaviest metal object you have behind the tie rod and strike the rounded part where the stabilizer goes through with a substantial hammer. Changed lots of tie rod ends, ball joints that are tapered, works great. bg

 

[bigceltic]

Success! I picked up a pitman arm puller and tightened it down as much as I could and then got a piece of rebar and my small sledge and put the rebar against the other side of the stabilizer and a couple of good whacks (the rebar really helped me direct the force to exactly where I needed it) and it popped off. Good to go. Also changed my sway bar end links and sway bar bushings - broke a bolt but luckily I was able to back it out with tweezers! Thanks for all the great suggestions.