Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

[Scott Liggett]

Scott - I usually leave the nut on the last few threads then I wham on it. The nut will protect the threads as long as they're mostly covered by the nut. The sequence of attack for me:

1) Leave the nut on the stud as mentioned.

2) With a dolly (or other heavy metal object) on the off side, beat the snot out of the eye of the joint. Add some prying effort as you smack if possible.

3) If that doesn't get it go to a gear puller type joint separator. Most of those studs will have a dimple in the end to help guide the puller screw - or you can add one.

4) If still stuck resort to a pickle fork. I don't like to use them as they tear up the boot but sometimes it comes down to that.

5) If STILL stuck leave the pickle fork wedged in there and beat the eye.

6) As a last resort, heat the eye with the pickle fork still wedged. I don't like to possibly affect the heat treat so I save this for last.

7) As you try any of the above you can smack the top of the stud from time to time as long as the nut is protecting the threads.

Best of luck!

Dan

Go back and look at the picture and the location of the idler arm in relation to the engine, crossmember and frame rail. Getting a good blow on the hammer was impossible.

[Huskinhano]

how does the idler arm bolt to the center link? does a bolt go into the center link? or is there a stud that the arm goes around and its secured by a nut? if there is a stud, you may be able to get this tool, wedge it in between the link and the arm, hit it with an impact wrench and force it out. I have used this tool before and it is the best 20 dollars Ive ever spent http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

I bought the same one from HF. You're right! I used it on my 66 Mustang.

[Scott Liggett]

Pulled the center link out altogether so I could get some leverage or a good hammer blow. That's all it took to get it off with it in the bench vice. That is fixed now.





When reinstalling the pitman arm back on the steering box, the nut fell off while reaching for the wrench. The whole, the centerlink, tie rods and all hit me in the jaw on the way to the ground. Loosened some teeth. At least nothing broke on my face. I didn't feel like sucking my food by straw for a month.

[squirrel]

ouch!

I bet it feels good to finally have it back together

[DanStokes]

Yeay!!!! But sorry for the facial collision.

Dan

[Huskinhano]

Good thing it didn't cut you up! Things like that usually do. I had a cordless fall off the top of an electrical panel about three inches on to the top of my head. It was worth 6 stitches at the ER.

[Scott Liggett]

Didn't hurt as much as when the starter hit me in the forehead. Thought the bolt was started, it wasn't. Bonk!! Saw stars for the first time. Had massive headache and goose eggs front and rear of my skull. Very lucky it wasn't worse.

[langleylad]

My head hurts just from reading this

[yellomalibu]

Didn't hurt as much as when the starter hit me in the forehead. Thought the bolt was started, it wasn't. Bonk!! Saw stars for the first time. Had massive headache and goose eggs front and rear of my skull. Very lucky it wasn't worse.

Ouch. The collision on the back side, resulting from flinching from the impact on the front side - I've done that a time or two.

[DanStokes]

Did I ever mention that I love my hoist? And am I the only one who remembers it being called a "rack"? As in, "He put my car up on the rack and lubed it".

Dan

[SuperBuickGuy]

Did I ever mention that I love my hoist? And am I the only one who remembers it being called a "rack"? As in, "He put my car up on the rack and lubed it".

Dan

so what you're saying is the term when from cars to female anatomy and sex acts in your lifetime?

[DanStokes]

'Zakly!

But I think it came from those drive-on ramp assemblies that you used to see outside of service facilities. They were kind of like ramps but usually built off an embankment such that there was stand-up room beneath them. They always looked homemade to me. All this is speculation on my part. Anyhow, you don't see them anymore - OSHA would have a cow.

Dan

[Scott Liggett]

'Zakly!

But I think it came from those drive-on ramp assemblies that you used to see outside of service facilities. They were kind of like ramps but usually built off an embankment such that there was stand-up room beneath them. They always looked homemade to me. All this is speculation on my part. Anyhow, you don't see them anymore - OSHA would have a cow.

Dan

Sorry, I am missing your point in reference to my last posts.

[DanStokes]

Sorry - we've veered off course. I was just commenting that it's a lot easier to work under a car when on a hoist so you don't get hit in the noggin with a starter. It all went down hill from there.

Dan

[Scott Liggett]

Oh. OK. Missed that. Yes, it would have been nice to have a hoist. Still would. So far, no landlord wants one in their driveway. Not sure if I would have been any safer standing under the starter or lying. Farther to fall after getting smashed in the head.