ok real quick.
looks like someone at some point had inner tie rod ends put on the 20th.
The dumb ass suffed a roll pin in where there is suppose to be an allen set screw. the other hole for the same type of allen set screw is empty.
What does this mean?
I will never be able to service the innners nor adjust them per my own diy link below.
Everytime I look at any part of this car, looks like someones been into it doing stuff stupid.
what dumbass would stuff a roll pin inside a hole and hammer it in?
oh well, my problem.
That sucks! But I guess it's part of buying a used car. I used to find little stupid things here and there as well! But can't you just drill a roll pin out?
A roll pin is how they are retained normally. SOME of the newer replacements come with an allen screw, but all original ones used a roll pin.
They are servicable. You basically have to shear the pin off with the much harder threads, reverse to clear the bits of the pin, and then remove the tie rod. Not ideal, but that IS the factory-intended method of retaining them.
There are roll pin extractors(which I don't have)... Rather just wring them off, I've had luck rotating the assembly and pulling the pin with a small pair of side cutters... Used a tiny tapered screw to pull one...
My point was that's how they are installed from the factory. Many replacement inners are the same. The one I just replaced on the '80 came with a roll pin, not a set-screw.
In the '84 shop manual they use a roll pin removal tool. It is a slide hammer with a threaded tip that screws into the roll pin.
They tap the new pin in with a plastic hammer.
Fair enough. I've never had an issue though.
I don't think many people have had problems with the roll pins. Just my luck I that would!
You're unlucky :tg:
Thanks eeryone for the replies.
it seems there are a couple variations on how the inners are factory installed.
Chuck, you are right though, the threads on the rack can be torn up easily.
I was about to turn the inner nut and use the rack to sheer the roll pin just as you would a cotter pin on the balljoint nut,,,,then common sense kicked in. I figured i would ask around before i did that.
Tom
I think your idea is what i will do. Ill start a small screw in the roll pin and try to clamp on to the screw with vise grips and then tap the vise grip with a hammer to dislodge the roll pin.
What is broken inside the rack if the rack shaft itself is moving up and down?
My thoughts are there is a bushing up in there thats not replaceable but you guys may have had this problem before as well.