removing steering stabilizer

drew76924 · 03-09-2007, 03:40 PM

how do u remove the steering stabilizer on the tie rod end i tryed a puller but it wouldn't move do i have to loosten a bolt or anything?

Crashnburn80 · 03-09-2007, 04:27 PM

Theres one bolt on either end of the stabilizer, remove the nut and the bolt should come out, Maybe give it a little bump with a hammer on the backside of the bolt if its not cooperating.

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-09-2007, 04:37 PM

The driver's side bolt is generally very difficult to get out as it's a tapered fit. Plus the bolt is part of the steering stabilizer itself. The best method I've found is to use a small smooth face sledgehammer and pound on the SIDE of the drag link where the SS's tapered bolt passes through. That will usually cause the SS's bolt to be popped out. Pounding on the end of the bolt itself seldom works. Some have used tie rod pullers to good effect but the easier method I described above works for me.

**Piratejonh** · 03-09-2007, 04:37 PM

I had to heat the tie rod up a little with a propane torch. Leave nut on a little on the end. When I finally tapped it with a hammer it popped out with quite a bit of force.

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-09-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

Theres one bolt on either end of the stabilizer, remove the nut and the bolt should come out, Maybe give it a little bump with a hammer on the backside of the bolt if its not cooperating.

Have you personally done what you recommend yet... the "little bump" on the bolt's backside and have it come out?

ptowntj · 03-09-2007, 04:52 PM

I did it the way Jerry did, and was by far the easiest way. I thought I could do it on my lunch break out in the parking lot and still have time to eat lunch...yeah right.

Mondo · 03-09-2007, 06:54 PM

Heat it or use a flat cold tap hammer. It is amazing after fussing with em, that the right ping will cause them to give up the fit.

**cvd** · 03-10-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

...pound on the SIDE of the drag link where the SS's tapered bolt passes through. That will usually cause the SS's bolt to be popped out...

I’ve got the same problem. Just to be sure (whacking my steering components makes me nervous) – I should leave everything connected except the SS bolts, hit the drag link from the back side, right next where the SS bolt enters the drag link. Correct?

Also, I’ve got the same problem removing the drag link end (I’m trying to replace the passenger side grease boot). I bought a small “two jaw puller” but am making no progress with it. The jaws can’t get a grip where the old grease boot fits, plus I don’t think this puller can put enough pressure on that bolt to move it. Should I get a bigger puller, or is there a save place to whack the drag link end?

Thx,
Cliff

nicolas-eric · 03-10-2007, 08:32 PM

here you can see how to remove it:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/steering/stab/stab-1.htm

Dogman · 03-10-2007, 08:48 PM

I just pulled my D30 today and removed the tie rod, drag link, SS and trackbar. I used a tie rod end puller and the hammer method Jerry mentioned. You should be able to get it one way or the other. I'm replacing my dust boots while I have it all apart.

Milt · 03-10-2007, 08:55 PM

When I had trouble getting my steering sabilizer off, I drove the Jeep over to a local service station. They used a "pickleing fork" in an air impact tool. It popped it right off.

Milt

koheed · 03-10-2007, 10:11 PM

I just did this earlier today. I went and got a pitman arm puller on loan from Autozone (just put down a $18.02 deposit, which was returned in full later in the afternoon.) I had no problems getting the stock stabilizer off, but had only minor frustration getting the passenger side back in with the new stabilizer. I did use come PB Blaster on all the components before removing them (not sure if it helped or not.)

Rubi22 · 03-10-2007, 11:10 PM

just put on a new stabilizer today..

got mine off by putting some WD40 on the night before, then introducing it to a hammer. worked fine for me.

**cvd** · 03-10-2007, 11:46 PM

I was using the wrong tool. The guy at Autozone gave me a “tie rod separator”, which is really a pry bar. I also had bought a small Two Jaw Puller based on the Haynes manual (emphasis on small). Neither was getting the bolts out (the tie rod end & steering stabilizer both remained stuck). I went back to Autozone and got the Tie Rod/Pitman Arm Puller. Both popped out, no hammer needed (the PB Blaster had been soaking in for a couple hours).

Now I just have to scrape that old grease seal out and pop in the new boot. I’ll leave that till the morning.

Thanks,

Nick B · 03-11-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolas-eric

here you can see how to remove it:
http://www.stu-offroad.com/steering/stab/stab-1.htm

THAT is the proper way to do it,not beating on the suspension with a BFH. Two cranks on the nut and it came right off.

03-09-2007, 06:54 PM	#7
Mondo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Andover Kansas Posts: 104 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Heat it or use a flat cold tap hammer. It is amazing after fussing with em, that the right ping will cause them to give up the fit. __________________ [/COLOR][COLOR="Purple"]Closest thing to a mid-life crisis [/COLOR] [COLOR="Black"]Randy Neill[/COLOR]