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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 10:43:38

Title: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 10:43:38
Cannot spilt the joint to the centre rod.

Jacked it up, walloped it, even used the jack to try to split.

Had around 1.5 tons on the joint and it still would not split.

Used heat and cold.

HELP!!

Any ideas please?
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: The Red Baron on 01 October 2011, 10:46:51
usualy just pop off with a good tw*t from 2 hammers.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: PhilRich on 01 October 2011, 11:06:51
The 2 hammer method as said, is the best way Martin. I believe TB describes it very well in the maintenance section?
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: PhilRich on 01 October 2011, 11:08:58
The 2 hammer method as said, is the best way Martin. I believe TB describes it very well in the maintenance section?

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90626.0
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 11:10:19
It has had plenty of that, but only 1 hammer.

Can't get the track rod end out either next to it.

Almost tempted to put it in the local garage
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: albitz on 01 October 2011, 11:19:05
Follow TB,s guide to the letter and it should pop off. Does need two hammers though. :y
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 11:21:19
May have another go later, off to Halfrauds to get a ball joint splitter for the TRE and another hammer
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: TheBoy on 01 October 2011, 11:31:42
will never, ever get it off with ballpoint split, 2 hammer trick will work, just needs patience

screw type splitter for TRE is best
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Andy B on 01 October 2011, 11:50:14
... 2 hammer trick will work, just needs patience

......

and in Martin's case, another hammer!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: The Red Baron on 01 October 2011, 11:51:29
... 2 hammer trick will work, just needs patience

......

and in Martin's case, another hammer!  ;D ;D ;D

yes, would help. ;D
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Varche on 01 October 2011, 11:54:51
I'll second that with the TRE best done with a splitter. Something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Joint-Splitter-Separator-Dual-Position-30-50mm-/120706674830?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c1aadb08e

I have got to say , I have removed two now  - each time using the two hammer method. You need perseverence. I had gone well past the "just one more go before I give up". Plus Gas is your friend.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: freecall666 on 01 October 2011, 12:09:15
I'll second that with the TRE best done with a splitter. Something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Joint-Splitter-Separator-Dual-Position-30-50mm-/120706674830?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c1aadb08e

I have got to say , I have removed two now  - each time using the two hammer method. You need perseverence. I had gone well past the "just one more go before I give up". Plus Gas is your friend.
I got one of them from speedys never cost that price think it was £8. did the job :y
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 12:25:54
Got the hammer and the splitter

Will try TRE first - if I can't get that off centre rod needed, if I can I will then do the idler and the new track rod.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: joff on 01 October 2011, 13:44:04
Did mine the other day with the two hammer trick and it just popped off, job done in about 30min :y
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: albitz on 01 October 2011, 13:52:17
Yep - force is no good, it need to be "shocked" into popping off.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 18:05:12
20 minutes of hammering and it popped off.

TRE popped out OK so centre tie rod OK.

HOWEVER

The inner core of the old idler is rusted to the pivot, 1/3rd of the way cutting the bush off the pivot.

Should I grease it before fitting the new one?

Finished about 17:00 and still a couple of hours work to go.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: freecall666 on 01 October 2011, 19:13:48
I did on mine. dont do no harm.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Omega 37 on 01 October 2011, 20:59:20
2 hammer worked for me, just have to keep smacking till it comes off!
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 October 2011, 21:07:52
Tomorrow I'll be firing up the compressor and the cutting disc and finishing off the idler mount strip, then fit the idler.

I will then lock the steering in position and measure the disc position to the wing. Then do the track rod.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 02 October 2011, 12:37:14
All done and now OK, did tracking by measuring before and after
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Entwood on 02 October 2011, 18:46:42
At Newent I tried for 30 minutes with 2 hammers ... got nowhere .... the "experts" turned up .. Daz/Mark DTM/TheBoy  told me I needed bigger hammers so I went to the van to fetch a lump hammer... came back and the thing was already off !!! Obviously a "knack" I don't have .. :)
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: feeutfo on 02 October 2011, 18:52:56
All done and now OK, did tracking by measuring before and after
There is the beginnings of a guide in test zone for setting toe, if that helps further. Measuring thread length can still give massive errors.
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: TheBoy on 02 October 2011, 19:29:06
At Newent I tried for 30 minutes with 2 hammers ... got nowhere .... the "experts" turned up .. Daz/Mark DTM/TheBoy  told me I needed bigger hammers so I went to the van to fetch a lump hammer... came back and the thing was already off !!! Obviously a "knack" I don't have .. :)
It fell off with the standard 2 hammer trick. Landed on my bloody foot as well ;D
Title: Re: Removing steering idler
Post by: Martin_1962 on 02 October 2011, 19:40:43
All done and now OK, did tracking by measuring before and after
There is the beginnings of a guide in test zone for setting toe, if that helps further. Measuring thread length can still give massive errors.

Piece of wood against disc before and after, less than 0.5mm difference