steering rod issues

[jminor1]

I put an oft kit on and want to adjust the bars at the steering rod but am having a hell of a time. Managed to get the top nut looseat the lower block but no chance on the other end of the rod so I took the nut off of the heim joint connecting the steering rod to steering post and was going to seperate and adjust that way and I can't get it apart! Any thoughts??

 

[jminor1]

 

[nydiver]

You need a tie rod separator, a "pickle fork". Any auto parts store should have one in their loaner tool program


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[440turner]

I used 2 large bladed flat screwdrivers, drove them between the pieces one on each side just like a pickle fork, i then threaded the nut on to save the threads and gave it a modest wack on top the nut and it popped free.

 

[canoehead]

Are you aware the nuts turn opposite on the rods?

 

[boardmandan]

I just did this yesterday. Using the pickle fork a good whack with a hammer and they popped loose. The nut at the bottom end of mine was really difficult to turn. Even when I worked it back and forth.

 

[jminor1]

If I can get the top off the post there should be enough adjustment there..

 

[Big_Phil]

Ya there is enough adjustment if you just do the once side, its not proper but it works. Spray it with a little wd40 and give it a good smack with a hammer, should come right out.

You can use a crows foot wrench to get the bottom nut loose if you want to do it the proper way. Just like someone else commented tho, one of them is reverse threaded.

 

[Sevey]

Ya, hit the brakes and get the right tool. I didn't and wound up in a mess last year. Your post send chills down my back!

Apparently everyone except me knows that tie rod bolt is a pressure fit (in short it is shaped like an ice cream cone and the tighter the fit, the more it is drawn down into the end of the steering piece).

Whatever you do don't tap/hit on the end of the bolt cause you will damage that - and don't thread the nut on the end of the bolt and think you can tap that either, cause the nut can rip the threads of the tie rod (don't ask me how I know that).

If your sled is cold it doesn't hurt to heat these parts up with a heat gun. If you don't have a pickle fork, get a long chisel an pry down on the ball joint - and wrap the chisel with a hammer. Some say to tap the end of the steering piece and it will 'pop' out. That didn't work for me.

Good luck feel free to pm if you have questions.
MS

 

[herndonp]

Ok I went thru the same issue and Grizztracks told me he used a crows foot wrench on an extension. So I went and bought some metric crows feet wrenches and that did the trick. If I remember correctly the top nut and the bottom nut loosen in the same direction when looking down at them. Piece of cake after that to make the adjustments.

Pete