Center Link Removal Question

[Satellite72]

Ok, I realize this is a novice question, but does anyone have any useful tips for removing the center link of my 72 satellite sebring plus? After several weeks of not working on the car, I finally got back to it last night and was needing to remove the center link in order to put the driver's side header on.... I started using a "pickle fork" or ball joint separator, but it wasn't coming off as easy as I thought it would. Hopefully I can get that off and back on and then finally move on to getting the rest of my air conditioning back together. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[Cranky]

A lot of times you can 'body work' (hammer it with a back up hammer) the fit that the tapered pin goes in and that will release it. With a different nut, you can thread it on some and 'tap' it after you hammer the fit around as much as possible. A pickle fork usually destroys the rubber dust boot. Btw, you don't have to hammer the crap out of it but several sharp hits usually does the trick.

 

[Propwash]

You might need a pickle fork to remove your inner tie rod end's. Like Crank said, slap the side of the tie rod a few times on the side first, seems to help knock them loose and sometimes completely off. If not, a fork will do it, but like previously mentioned there is a good chance you'll tear up the boots. After that you'll need to zip off the idler arm. No fork needed, it is a bolt with a nut. The pitman arm can be a real pain sometimes, usually needs a puller. The large nut can give a guy a headache as far as getting it off. I wouldn't recommend putting heat on the nut to help free it loose. Seen guys smoke the seal in the steering box doing that. Once the nut is off, see if side hits with a hammer will pop it off. If not, a pitman arm puller will do the trick...

Good Luck!

 

[Satellite72]

Just as a follow-up... I finally got the center link loosened and out of the way! The pickle fork did help on one of my tie-rod ends, but it seemed that the good 'ol hammer method helped the most. I apparently wasn't using a heavy enough hammer, so I put a 4lb hammer to it....and after several blows in the tight area I had, it came off. After that the driver's side header fit right into place with just a slight 1/16" nudge on the power steering box. Thanks for the help as always!