psu_Crash Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 (edited) Finally got around to ordering one from Randy (Dad) and I'm just wondering how much of a PITA it's going to be to change this. The FSM doesn't make it sound too bad but we all know how that goes. "I can change that in an afternoon!" .... 3 long days later it finally gets done. Any pointers are much appreciated! I figure it has to be a piece of cake compared to changing out the steering box. If only I had known the box was fine but the coupler wasn't .... Edited February 27, 2009 by psu_Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahjah Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 http://starquest.i-x.net/viewtopic.php?t=1189 I could not physically get mine out. I just welded the sucker solid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbrad511 Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 http://starquest.i-x.net/viewtopic.php?t=1...asc&start=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 That's not very encouraging Jahjah .... I WILL get that sucker out one way or another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahjah Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 That's not very encouraging Jahjah .... I WILL get that sucker out one way or another i know man, i had some HEAVY duty magnets but just couldn't get the sucker out. took out my whole column and brought it to work and had a body guy weld it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I brought my car in the shop- drove it out 4 hrs later with a new coupler installed. Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Wow ... the guide makes it look like you can get to the coupler clamp from under the hood. Unless you take the intake manifold off THERE IS NO WAY THAT'S HAPPENING! When I changed the steering box the only way to get to it was from underneath with the car on a lift and it was still no fun to get to. Hopefully i will have some time this weekend to give it a shot ... Thanks for the link guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 I brought my car in the shop- drove it out 4 hrs later with a new coupler installed. Dad Now that's what I like to hear! But then again Randy you are like a superhero to us! If you can do it in 4, I completely expect it to take me 8 I'll let you all know how it goes .... gulp ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 It didn't take me more than a couple hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Ok .. so i am now 5 hours into it and I have everything out. How the hell are you supposed to get those pins out with a magnet? I let it soak in WD-40 for a while and for the last hour i have been tapping it with a hammer while trying to get the pins out with no luck at all, and i have one serious magnet. Any suggetions? Thinking about trying to drill the SOB out or tack welding something to it that I can get ahold of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marso Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Go to the hardware store and buy a 100lb pull or larger magnet. Mine cost around 10 bucks. I could only get one pin out. It's best to use two people. Put the coupler on the ground and push down on the column while the other person tries to get it out with the magnet. You have to slightly compress the spring inside to make the pins float. Gently moving the column around while pushing can also help. DON'T HIT THE PIN WITH A PUNCH YOU'LL NEVER GET IT OUT WITH A MAGNET AFTER THAT. I got one out with the magnet but the other just wouldn't budge so I cut a slot in the coupler on both sides of the pin all the way to the end of the coupler. You're basically removing the part under the pin so the coupler can slide off of the pin. I used a dremel with a cutting wheel. You must be VERY careful not to cut into the bearing surface of the pivot. If you remove the pivot pin remember the orientation of the pivot. If you put it on upside down the holes won't line up with the shaft hole and you'll damage the pin trying to press it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Thanks Marso! I am about to head to the hardware store ... so WISH ME LUCK! Edit: Went and bought a 150 pound pull magnet. That thing is a monster! then rocked, pushed, wiggled and even made a plastic jig to hold the magnet about 1/8" above the pin. Called some friends over to watch the show and give me a hand. You have got to be kidding me. STILL won't budge. Going to go to the mitsu dealer tomorrow and make them get it out. After several hours of severe frustration I am done Edited February 27, 2009 by psu_Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marso Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 If I remember correctly you hit it with a hammer. If you mean the pins then they are embedded now and you'll never get them out with a magnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Bring it over tomorrow to the shop, I'll get it. You can even wait for it. Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdScrip Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 lol no kidding Dad had mine out within 15 seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) I didn't hit the pins with a hammer just tapped the side of the coupler. Dad if you weren't so far away I would be there! I still may consider it Edited February 27, 2009 by psu_Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 You can mail it. one guy did, I won;t charge you, just the shipping. Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks Randy! If I can't figure out a way to get it apart tomorrow I will let you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edde Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Don't you usually need some pressure on the shaft to free the pins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) Yep I took the shaft out and pressed it against the floor with varying force while a friend tried to get the pin out. What kills me is that with a magnet I can actually get the pin to wiggle a little and come out on both sides just far enough to feel the edge of it, but I can't for the life of me get the things out. So it's not like they have been jammed in there. Edited February 27, 2009 by psu_Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) Dremel to the rescue! Brought it to the mitsu garage and they looked at me like I had a third eye. Then they couldn't get it out either. Went to a second garage and they couldn't get it. Guy says cut it off! Sooo .... Cut slots in it, broke the piece out with a screwdriver and the pins FELL out! Should have just done that to start with i guess. Took 5 minutes Must have been burred around the top edge from some thing (or someone before me) is all I can figure http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8674/20267494.jpg Edited February 27, 2009 by psu_Crash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komeuppance Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Sweet!! Use your magnet to clean up those metal dust particles... haha.... -Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 That coupler didn't look all that bad. I pulled a couple and one of them was complete garbage. One coupler was still in pretty good shape so I reinspected my steering linkage and it turned out most of the steering play was coming from the linkage. Those pins are tough to pull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 The coupler didn't seem to be in too bad shape. The part of it that looked like crap were the splines that connect to the steering box. Looks like that clamp must have loosened up a little at some point and there was almost no spline left in there. I still have some play but a fraction of what it was. I will hunt down the cause of the rest of the play on the next warm day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marso Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Dremel to the rescue! Brought it to the mitsu garage and they looked at me like I had a third eye. Then they couldn't get it out either. Went to a second garage and they couldn't get it. Guy says cut it off! Sooo .... Cut slots in it, broke the piece out with a screwdriver and the pins FELL out! Should have just done that to start with i guess. Took 5 minutes Must have been burred around the top edge from some thing (or someone before me) is all I can figure http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8674/20267494.jpg I see you took my advise. Easiest way to get them out if you can't get them out with a magnet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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