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Battlin' a Bell Crank

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by russo, Dec 22, 2005.

  1. russo

    russo Hope is not a method

    I have to replace a bent tie rods on my 69 CJ5 and cannot get it loose from the bell crank. It keeps eating gouges into my tie rod fork and will not budge. Everything else came loose no problem. Any body have any tricks? I hate to try to buy a new bell crank just because I've been out smarted by a piece of iron.
     
  2. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member


    Have you used a good penetrant, such as PB-Blaster or Kroil on it?
    (WD-40 does not count as a penetrant!)

    Can you get a gear puller on it from the opposite side and use the counterforce of the center bolt to break it free?
     
  3. russo

    russo Hope is not a method

    I've had it in kroil for a day. I may have to look for a gear puller. There is not much for it to pull on, however, TNX Much.
     
  4. tinker

    tinker GNGPN

    what works best is to put a 2 or 3 pound hammer on one side of the hole where the tie rod end goes thru the bellcrank and hit the other side of the bellcrank just don't miss and hit the tie rod end. a couple of good hits and it will drop out you don't have to the tie rod end just 90 degrees from where it goes thru the bellcrank.
     
  5. russo

    russo Hope is not a method

    Thnaks. I'll give it a shot.
     
  6. willysnut

    willysnut Banned

    Throw some heat on that bad boy to help it along.
     
  7. russo

    russo Hope is not a method

    We're thinkin' along the same line. One minute with a MAPP Gas torch and a 2lb. hammer = success. It came apart like I knew what I was doing. Saved the bell crank, and I may have new steering soon. TNX All.
     
  8. tinker

    tinker GNGPN

    glad it worked for you usually the vibration from the hammer is enough works on ball joints too.
     
  9. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member