rag joint bolts stuck

[D Farms]

So Im in the middle of installing a body lift, and I cannot for the life of me get the bolts apart on the rag joint. at this point i think im going to try and get an angle grinder in there and just grind the heads off. any little tricks other than parts blaster or kroil to get it apart?

 

[D Farms]

well after getting the die grinder out, the top nut finally unseized and i was able to turn one of them off, now just to get the other F###### B#####.

 

[Asaspades93]

well after getting the die grinder out, the top nut finally unseized and i was able to turn one of them off, now just to get the other F###### B#####.

I had a small ratchet that I braced against the frame, and then turned the truck on and turned the steering wheel which worked quite nicely. I did have to retighten the first bolt so that I could reposition the ratchet for the second bolt though

 

[D Farms]

other bolt did the same thing. anyways it took me less time to machine the body lift than get those two bolts out.

 

[absalom]

If it makes you feel any better, it was really easy for me.

 

[D Farms]

thats cute, when you start making your own things from scratch let me know...

 

[Scramble]

I did this a few weeks ago, mine were a ***** to get out. NE rust. I had to use a small cordless impact wrench-3/8 extension - 3/8 Universal joint & socket.

 

[D Farms]

I even tried a side impact, the one that ratchets really slow with a lot of torque, and it just vibrated it around.

 

[D Farms]

anyways got it home barely, there is a bracket for a gas line that is being stubborn and sometimes contacts the steering extension. also my intake decided to desintegrate after the body lift, body and air box move up engine stays... also discovered that some mechanic my dad used to use had taped the intake together and attempted to glue the cracking rubber... wtf man.

 

[nc-grayson]

Bumping this up instead of starting a new thread because I'm in the same boat halfway thru my 1" Fat Pat's BL install....although battling much more rust than I've ever seen on any rag-joint photos on this forum....(it's actually quite horiffic....but that's a thread for another day)

I managed to get the one nut off circled in this photo (credit goes to [MENTION=76627]nor_cal51501[/MENTION] and his BL install DIY). That bolt is still somewhat "frozen" in the steering shaft plates, but I should be able to knock that out with a punch.



My question is....how the heck do I get access to the same nut/bolt on the backside of the rag joint in this photo? The one that isn't pictured? [MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION] suggests going in through the fender liner to get at it. Space is SUPER tight from underneath and through the fender liner with my fat mitts.

I've read multiple sources that say don't turn the steering wheel during this part of the process, and coincidentally read multiple sources that have people turning their wheel during this process....so I'm not quite sure what to believe.

If I leave the semi "frozen" bolt threaded thru the two plates, can I turn the wheel slightly to rotate the shaft and access the back nut/bolt without screwing anything up? and then punch out the bolts? The rust is one thing I'm constantly fighting.....the last thing I want to do is make my life even more complicated trying to align the rag joint on reassembly.

[MENTION=100116]D Farms[/MENTION], I chose your post because it was almost impossible to remove the one nut I already have.....it was pretty damn frozen on there. Curious to know if you've got any suggestions from your experiences that might NOT involve any power tools or grinders....I've only got access to hand tools right now.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[shootmymime]

Yes, You can turn the steering wheel (with the truck on to make it easier).
Rotate it, take out that other bolt. Loosen the slip yoke, Install the body lift, After body lift is installed. Go back and install the last two bolts.

When they say don't move the steering wheel. You don't want to sit there and freely spin it because you will destroy the clock spring. Just keep track of how many turns the steering wheel moves and put it back in the same bolts pattern as before. There is only a 180 direction. So it's 2 choices.

You got this man! [MENTION=112743]nc-grayson[/MENTION]


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[D Farms]

mark the yellow lines, undo the blue bolts and remove the entire thing. then you can put it in a vice or do whatever you need to do to make it chooch.

 

[nc-grayson]

mark the yellow lines, undo the blue bolts and remove the entire thing. then you can put it in a vice or do whatever you need to do to make it chooch.

So I've done what you suggested, and can't get the damn thing to budge to remove the entire thing. Any tips?

 

[cfranck1]

You might be able to jamb a screwdriver or like tool in the slot on the side of the upper bolt to spread the joint out a little.

Spray some oil in there to help.

The whole shaft assembly collapses some, maybe pry up on it to collapse it and see if you can get it free?

 

[fourfive]

So I've done what you suggested, and can't get the damn thing to budge to remove the entire thing. Any tips?

Did you already try soaking the bolts with penetrating oil for a good while & longer if there's any rust?

I sometimes forget how effective penetrating oil is on stuck bolts...even ones that aren't rusted. Was just reminded of this when I was replacing my engine mounts.