Today I finally investigated this annoying clunk in the front of my truck. To my surprise this is what I found: The "bolt" on the centerlink has literally popped out. I found the part today at Autozone BUUUT, when I went to start replacing and reading the manual it says I need an "SST" tool. Can I rent this tool? Is it the same thing as a pully puller? Any help please... The new Center Link:
They tell you that but no you don't need one.That's basically a fork that helps you pop it off.You have a new one so just see if you can loosen that crown nut(don't forget the cotter pin) and leave it threaded on a little and bang down on it.What I do to take off stubborn tie rods and such is pry on the part that is coming off and bang on the side of the eye of the part it is running thru with a hammer.Usually only takes a couple of good bangbangs.
I tried prying on it a few times last night but it was late and all the old people in my neighbor hood don't like me working on the truck past 830, damn old people. Ill give it another go tonight. Anyone else have this problem? I read last night that this is a recall part. The centerlink has a defect that causes this to happen.
They call the tool a pickle fork but like above was mentioned you don't always need it but they can be nice to own. If you place a hammer on either side of the ball joint where it goes thru the idler arm and hit both sides of the drop out at the same time it should take about three good pops and the ball joint on the center link should fall out. Hope this helps you good luck
Alright, got me a pickle fork, grease gun, Lucas red grease, pry bar, hammer, 1 pound sledge.... Beat on it for about 3 hours off and on will no avail. I can't seem to break anything loose. Need some more help. I looked it up online and in 2005 there was a recall for this part. I'm going to call the dealership tomorrow to see if my truck can be done under the recall but if not I have to figure this out. Any help is appreciated.
That's what I need nam!! Wanna ship it to me? Ill ship it back. Haha I might check my local parts store to see if they have one to rent me. I didn't think it would be this big a chore. I've done some steering stuff before but never on a 22 year old truck. Going to see if I can borrow my buddies truck for the weekend and make a weekend project out of it. Clean the engine mess while I'm under there too.
Or. Take the castle nut off. Flip it over. Put it back on a course threads...and best the Shiz out of it. It will come out.
And yes the recall was 4x4, my 91 had it done, the actual reason was " repeated left to right steering cycles while stopped or at low speed( as in off roading) could cause it to crack or break."
Got em removed: Old relay link out: New one in: Thanks guys for the help. Took me about 5 hours to get it all the way done. Just glad it's done.
that's not defect. That's just wear. Everything wears as it ages and it's used. Probably nobody lubed it up for a long time contributing to additional wear. Or it's just very old and well used. I was going to suggest the same tool 'nam suggested. I used it all the time in the shop doing tie rods if it didn't come out in a few shots with the hammer.
