steering and suspension Pitman (Steering) Arm HELP!!-FIXED!!

[2fysh]

So I was doing a few upgrades to the front suspension.  After removing the strut assembly I noticed a broken safety bolt (stud) with the nut and safety wire just dangling.  Anyone else have this problem and I'm just certain this is going to be a PIA, B*%$!, (insert profanity) to get out.  Any pointers?  

 

  

 

TIA!!!

 

Jason

Edited October 1, 2016 by 2fysh

[TobyB]

Oh, yeah. A few times.

 

Looks like they twisted it off on reassembly, from all the rust on the end of it.

 

Start with an easy- out, and go from there.  You'll have to take things pretty far apart to get a clean shot at it.

Go carefully, in stages- you don't want to damage the inside threads on the strut any more than you absolutely

have to.

 

And yeah, you may make it to the profanity stage...  that

design is one of the more 'vintage' features of a 2002.

 

t

 

[Buckeye]

From the looks of safety wire being shiny, I say Pitman arm and strut assembly had been taken apart before and that bolt was over torqued during assembly and probably material fatigue over 40+ years. of course we don't know if that bolt is original or not. those bolts should be torqued to 25 ft-lb

[2fysh]

Thanks guys.  This might have been the easiest repair ever.  Pulled the other two bolts.  At least a 1/4" of the old bolt was sticking out.  But on a nut and it threaded in so I tried the other way and out it came.  

 

Love this forum.  You guys and gals are a LIFE SAVER!!!!