Cracking the stubborn relay rod ends loose (1 Viewer)

[yosshaa]

in a pinch and without a vice I got both relay rod ends busted loose.

I needed to replace my relay rod end links and I knew breaking the 20 years old end links loose might be a problem. So, with the steering rod stabilizer end of the relay rod still attached to the LC I used the biggest wrench in my tool box as a leverage bar on the passenger side to crack the installed (drivers side) loose. I bolted both clamps to the passenger side to keep it from breaking loose. With a little force I was able to unscrew the end.

With the drivers side unscrewed (old relay rod end still bolted to the Pittman arm) I screwed in the new relay rod end with the steering stabilizing eyelet. Now I had one new end and one the old passenger end that needed to be cracked and unscrewed.

To crack the passenger side I took off the front wheel of the truck which was off anyways because I needed more room for the pickle fork to get the drivers side old end link popped out of the Pittman arm.

I then bolted the eyelet of the steering stabilizer to the wheel hub, used a lug nut to tighten it down, cranked both clamps on the new installed end and again used a big wrench leverage to unscrew the old passenger side of the relay rod. Worked out really well for me, maybe it will help someone else out one day.

 

[Wayne]

Now that's "adapt and overcome" at it finest. Great job!

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

I discussed doing this same thing in a couple of the same posts. Unbolt one end and undo the clamp, then use a giant HF crescent wrench to undo one end, retread with a bit of oil, lock it down with the clamp and do the other end in same manner. Was the only thing that did it for me.

 

[normiex]

It's good to measure it first so you get it close to the right length and save time underneath the vehicle while doing the wheel alignment.

 

[mrsleeve]

I just took mine off and put each end in the hot coals in the wood stove in the shop...... About 5 mins latter they turned out with ease lol

 

[yosshaa]

I just took mine off and put each end in the hot coals in the wood stove in the shop...... About 5 mins latter they turned out with ease lol

Are you a Blacksmith?

It's good to measure it first so you get it close to the right length and save time underneath the vehicle while doing the wheel alignment.

totally agree! I counted threads, measured and referenced the FSM... ended up taking it to the alignment shop the next morning anyways.

 

[mrsleeve]

^

No but it gets cold in northern Montana in the Fall, Winter, and Spring (even summer sometimes) and rather than dig out the torch cart, or go searching for the mapp-gas canister, it was toss it in the stove keeping the shop warm.....

 

[yosshaa]

^

No but it gets cold in northern Montana in the Fall, Winter, and Spring (even summer sometimes) and rather than dig out the torch cart, or go searching for the mapp-gas canister, it was toss it in the stove keeping the shop warm.....

Nice, I live in Arizona maybe I should try just leaving it on the sidewalk next time Haha

 

[mrsleeve]

Yeah that might work, I have family that have lived in the dirty T for 25+ years. There is a reason I dont live there, being able to cook my breakfast on the sidewalk at 5:30am is not conducive to a healthy life IMO.

 

[ajax1]

Paint the new tie rod ends so they don't corrode also use little anti seize on the threads and they will come right out next time