Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

Ok, I give!

What is the trick to separating the Idler arm from the Drag link?

I've been pickle-forking like Rocky Balboa on a Side of Beef but no luck!

The pitman side came off with not too much hassle.

I even tried a little heat, but the but the rubber started smoking pretty bad.

How did you do it? Heat??
I'm tempted to take the whole drag link off and but it in a vise where I can get proper swings at it. Working upside side is not that much fun!

Thanks!
Nick

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

I generally just whack it good with a baby sledge and it falls apart

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

It sucks, I just did this when I replaced all my suspension and steering components. I used a small sledge right after I heated it real good. Just kept working at it. It took about an hour before I realized I needed the bigger hammer and a torch for heat. I replaced everything so if it burned some rubber that was fine with me. Keep working the fork around. Maybe you will find the sweet spot.

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

I have had luck using an air hammer and right size fork, also.
Les

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

So what worked was taking the outer tie rods off, then bringing the whole assembly down.
Meaning the "drag link" with the inner tie rods attached & the Idler arm also.

Once on the ground I could get a proper Hammer Whack at the nut side of everything and it just popped off no problem! BAM! Enjoy! :-)

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

heat evenly, then apply the big hammer... liberally ;)

Re: Idler Arm separation tricks?
 

I just took one off a 82 last night. I used the air hammer with the pickle fork attachment. I believe it was the original with almost 300K miles on it. Chip.