Steering Stabilizer Bolt, Help...

T

Trout

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Hello Everyone,
I'm replacing (or trying to) the steering stabilizer on my 2000 XJ, and have come across a snag... I can't get the pressed in bolt out of the tie rod (?). I noticed in my FSM that there is a specialty tool, a little puller of sorts, and I'm wondering where I can find one of those little jewels. (Dealership?) OR, if any of you have any tricks to getting that bolt out of there without using that puller gizmo? I'm a bit scared to beat too hard on that to force it out with a hammer, I don't want to bend/break anything else while I'm trying to replace the steering damper. Any help/advice is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
 
No, you won't bend anything but a trick to try first, take a big clamp and a deep impact socket, put the impact socket on the wrench end of the bolt, put the clamp on the top of the socket and the bottom screw part of the c clamp on the threaded nut, then try to press it out. It helps if the clamp has a head on it for a wrench.
 
I assume you're talking about the bolt that connects the tie rod to the dampener, not the tie rod ends....

You should be OK. The other option is to get a puller and try that.
 
Because it's tapered like a tie rod end, one option is to remove it like one. A traditional way of doing this is to take the pickle fork or puller, and use it to put tension on the joint, but not to try to remove it with that. Once tension is on the joint, strike the side of the part that has the hole in it (not the stud) with a reasonably large steel hammer. The joint will usually pop apart. I'd advise that you leave the nut loosely attached to the stud when you do this to avoid having parts shoot out or drop suddenly.
 
I agree with Matthew, leave the nut on loosely, these thing can come out with quite a bit of velocity. You want to replace the damper, not take a trip to the ER.
 
Matthew Currie said:
Because it's tapered like a tie rod end, one option is to remove it like one. A traditional way of doing this is to take the pickle fork or puller, and use it to put tension on the joint, but not to try to remove it with that. Once tension is on the joint, strike the side of the part that has the hole in it (not the stud) with a reasonably large steel hammer. The joint will usually pop apart. I'd advise that you leave the nut loosely attached to the stud when you do this to avoid having parts shoot out or drop suddenly.
Click to expand...
That's generally how I remove tie rod ends or ball joints from the knuckle...yes. However, the tie rod is much less sturdy and has a tendancy to shift and bend, so the force of the hammer blows is distributed across the tie rod and doesn't have the same effect.

Actually, I have a ball joint fork that fits into my 250mm air hammer. That works really well :D
 
I know this is a old thread but this is what my search turned up. Well in the process of changing this out now. And ofcourse I am having problems with the tie rod end of the dampner. I have a pickle fork but i guess it is too large since it bottoms out with out putting much tension on the bolt. I turned the nut around and beat on it with a small hammer with no luck and I have PB blasted the hell out of it.

It has been 2-3 years since this post was created so anyone have any new ideas?
 
Get yourself a small 2-jaw puller from Checker/AutoZone whatever. Piece of cake and no need to swing a hammer @ the heep. Save puller for next time you do TREs.
congrats on the fantasy league btw.
 
kujito said:
Get yourself a small 2-jaw puller from Checker/AutoZone whatever. Piece of cake and no need to swing a hammer @ the heep. Save puller for next time you do TREs.
congrats on the fantasy league btw.
Click to expand...


Hey thanks

GUess I will have an excuse to pick up another tool for the garage now. I will try that.

And Also thanks, Did you play this year if not you are welcome to play next year.
 
Sean5294 said:
pb blaster and a 1 pound sledge hammer will do the trick. thats how i removed it from my 01 xj.
Click to expand...

Thanks but this XJ is 22yrs old and it wasn't budging. I have a small 2lb hammer and a 10 pound sledge I tried tapping with it, I will just go pick up one of the 2 Jaw puller's I been meaning too anyway and this will just give me another reason too.
 
XJ Stryker said:
Thanks but this XJ is 22yrs old and it wasn't budging. I have a small 2lb hammer and a 10 pound sledge I tried tapping with it, I will just go pick up one of the 2 Jaw puller's I been meaning too anyway and this will just give me another reason too.
Click to expand...

lol i guess i should have read the whole thread. 22 years old definitely equals more than a hammer. a puller will pop it right off.
 
In case it didn't get fully searched, I will add that the secret to getting a stuck taper out of a tapered hole is not to try to drive it out, but to upset the outside piece - the hole it's in - by striking it on the side. This can be difficult on a tie rod which will tend to deflect, but here's a neat little video showing how to do the job with a pair of hammers, using one as a dolly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX7GVWcB-bg

It helps to have some tension on the stud, so if you can, leave the pickle fork in when you strike the tie rod.
 
ive always used a TRE puller from autozone, never had a issue
 
Matthew Currie said:
In case it didn't get fully searched, I will add that the secret to getting a stuck taper out of a tapered hole is not to try to drive it out, but to upset the outside piece - the hole it's in - by striking it on the side. This can be difficult on a tie rod which will tend to deflect, but here's a neat little video showing how to do the job with a pair of hammers, using one as a dolly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX7GVWcB-bg

It helps to have some tension on the stud, so if you can, leave the pickle fork in when you strike the tie rod.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for that! Very cool, and saved me from making a trip to buy a puller.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Jeep XJ Steering Box Question
Replies
1
Views
179
XJ_ranger
XJ_ranger
DonQuiXJote
Tightened Belt Tensioner w/o Loosening Pulley Bolt
Replies
8
Views
304
ChillyB
C
3
1996 Cherokee obd2 port, any help appreciated.
Replies
3
Views
200
326Firefighter12
3
S
No start and shorted/melted connections inside overhead console.
Replies
7
Views
221
Tim_MN
Tim_MN
DonQuiXJote
Post-Coolant-Leak-Repair Concerns
Replies
6
Views
239
DonQuiXJote
DonQuiXJote
Back
Top