Re: I'm doing the same thing...but I did the contr (archive)

Thanks for the input. I was wondering if I was going to have to take my blow torch to this thing and risk other damage, but now I'll borrow a breaker bar and hope that works.

I got the track rod (center link, center tie rod) off pretty easily. The driver's side nut came off the pitman arm with little effort using a 1/2" drive 17mm socket with the big socket wrench. The passenger side nut wasn't much worse coming off the idler arm, but due to a heat shield I had to use a 17mm box end/open end and it took a while that way. However, with the nuts off, I did have to hit the pickle fork pretty hard on both sides to get the ball joints to fall away. I used a pretty long pickle fork, and it just barely fit under the wheel well lining with the fork in the ball joint. What I did have a little trouble with though, was getting the new track rod tight enough so I could torque the nuts properly. I ended up using a bottle jack pushing up on the end of the track rod while I tightened the nut. Definitely not the first choice I'd recommend, but I didn't have a clamp or press that would do the job.

Keep me posted if you run into any more trouble, and I'll do the same.

Sean

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.