Installing new steering linkage.

[sgr60]

Started on a little project this evening - I got my new Moog tie rod ends in today, so I started to pull the old stuff to get ready for the install tomorrow. I bought 4 new ends, a new adjusting sleeve as well as a new steering stabilizer.

I started off by pulling the pitman arm to steering arm tie rod. These came off pretty easily, but pulling the first end with the puller was a little shocking - it came off with a real loud BANG! After that one, I was ready with a towel wrapped around the others. I can't remember the last time I did tie rod ends, I don't remember that force on it. Oh well...

Old and new:



Next, I went after the outers. These were a little harder to get off - the castle nuts were pretty well frozen, and I couldn't get the cotter pins out - they kept breaking. No problem though - just apply some heat from the trusty torch and off they came. If the other ends were bad, these were horrible - completely shot. The steering stabilizer was doing nothing either - the piston juts slid freely in the tube - no compression whatsoever.

Getting the ends off the crosslink bar was a whole other ordeal. Those things were completely frozen on there. I was able to get them off with a LOT of heat, penetrating oil, a big wrench, a mallet and the bench vice.

Old outer parts removed:



Since I will be reusing the cross link bar, it needed to be cleaned up before re-installation. I cleaned all the grease and grime off then sanded and painted it.

My impromptu paint station:



While the paint was drying and I had the truck up on stands, I decided it would be a good time to tackle the huge amount of grease and grime buildup under the front end (particularly on the drivers side as the PS gear had been leaking for evidently a LONG time). I had tried attacking it with degreaser and a pressure washer - didn't make a dent.

So I went at it scraping away all the filth - it was everywhere - core support, front cross-member, frame rail, leaf springs, axle and differential, etc...

Here's some of what came off - horrible -



After a round of scraping I sprayed on some degreaser and let it soak in. Then I went at it with a bucket of warm soapy water and a scrub brush. What a mess. But, it really helped. I'm going to go at it again tomorrow - should come out a lot better.

Will also get the new parts all installed tomorrow after the paint dries tonight. Looking forward to a nice solid steering system!