radius rods and bolt issue

M

MikeSr

New member
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
214
Age
71
Location
Racine, Wisconsin
Last year I posted that the radius rod somehow came disconnected from the tie rod end that it screws into near the center of the sled.

Tonight I pulled it off and can see why. Both the thread on the tie rod end and the inner thread on the radius rod are so worn that it probably just pulled apart easily.

Now I have a new problem. Bought 4 nice replacement rods complete with tie rod ends and bolts. Got 3 off, and the 4th -which is the lower left - is giving me pain. The tie rod end is tight up against where the bolt goes into the cross frame on the inside (that is to say - towards the motor and not towards the front bumper). So tight that I can't pry it away, it is stuck right up next to the chassis. I got the nut off, but the bolt is so tight that even though I can turn it with a breaker bar on it, it doesn't work it's way out.

So....more than likely it is bent and I am going to have to somehow cut through it. Any ideas here? It seems like I can't cut it too close to the bumper, or I won't be able to get a vice-grips on there to turn the threaded end out. And if I cut it too close to the motor, then I can't get a vice-grips on that end of it to turn it out. And I can't cut it down the middle, because the tie rod is in the way.

I can't leave it the way it is, because I see that the tie rod has a noticeable bend in it, which might have happened when the radius rod from the other side let go, or from the previous owner doing something stupid?????
Sure could use any wild ideas you might have.
 
I had a similar problem...try to hammer it out...i know theres not much room but it worked for me!!!
 
Mapp torch or die grinder. If you can't heat the fastening ends maybe cutting it will take off enough pressure where you can work it out with a pair of channel locks.
 
I dont even know how you got one of those lower rod ends off! Both of my lowers on both of my chassies are seized tight! :o|
 
Hey DirtJumper, try spraying them down with PB blaster and let it sit overnight, repeat for the next couple nights. Then disconnect them at the ski side and put a pipe wrench on them. They might turn.
 
If I get a bad one, I just take out the center section of bellypan so you can then use a air impact driver, youll need to cut off the head of the bolt. The bolts are something like a grade 5,you can cut them easily with die grinder.
 
I have something called Aero Kroil that is supposed to be like the best thing since sliced bread for frozen metal parts. So I am going to spray it when I get home, let it sit and try it, again and again and again.

That is plan A, and if that doesn't work, then...
How much is involved in taking out the center section of the bellypan?
 
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