This sounds ridiculous, but I can not get the stock steering stabilizer to come off of my 78 FJ40. What is the trick? I have beat the SH!T out of it after trying to coax it off for more than 30 minutes and it will not come off. I am about ready to saw it in half. Please advise...I need help.
Steering Stabilizer Removal
- Thread starter Elk Hunter
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If you have access to a propane torch (and a fire extinguisher) you can heat up the bushings. They have probably fused/rusted to the studs over the years. It'll stink like heck, but that's the best method I've found.
I've had good luck using a tie rod end tool called a "pickle fork". Good tool to have if you don't have one. You should be able to find one for under $10 at any local parts store. Place the fork between the frame mount and the stablizer end and hit the fork with a BFH. Good luck!
no it doesnt sound ridiculous, i had to cut mine off with a cutting wheel, it all became one piece, i dont run one anymore, if you cut more of the stabilizer side you will not ruin the mounts.
Wadesters
SILVER Star
Pickle Fork (tie rod end puller) and a heavy hammer. It will come right off. If you are anywhere near Atlanta let me know and I will help! Regards...
Like has been said, all you need is a pickle fork and 5lb hammer.
no bushings on stock stabilizers, trainrech-they have TRE-style mounts.
no bushings on stock stabilizers, trainrech-they have TRE-style mounts.
propane tourch usually wont be enough heat but I have had ggod luck with MAP gas...looks just like the little propane torch but the bottle is yellow and the torch uses a different orface and is way cheaper than oxy aceteline if you dont have access to one. is also nice and portable...lots of heat plus penetrating oil will usually free anything...just watch for the oil flashing if you get it too hot.
Just did this last weekend with the pickle fork. You have to wack it pretty hard to get it off, but it will work. I had even more fun trying to get rusty TREs out of the steering components. Separating the ball joints seemed easy compared to unthreading them from the links.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Did this with my 80 last week too. Pickle fork and severe beatings with a big framing hammer. I was expecting to see gradual progress with the bolt coming out. It doesn't. It will go all at once so don't discouraged that it's not moving, keep hitting it and then it will pop all at once. Of course mine had only been on there 8 years. 
Too bad you don't have a 77. There is a little button next to the radiator that releases the stablizer and it just falls out.
