I am about ready to break stuff out in the shop. Wanted to get the steering stuff done yesterday. Spent money on tie rod ends, etc. and then noticed my 70 open knuckle drum brake front end had a blown up axle u-joint. Figured I would swap in a disc brake 44 from a 78 chevy parts truck that's been living here. Got both front ends out and the new one bolted in so I was feeling pretty cool...until I tried to replace the U-shaped steering arm that is held in place with three nuts and apparently tapered washers onto the top of the driver's side steering knuckle. I can't break it loose with the biggest hammer I own. There must be a secret. I had to quit because I was getting so ticked off. Help!
CK5
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steering part ruined my day
- Thread starter fesser
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Many posts have been made on this subject. Penetrating spray, sideways hits with a BFH on the bend part, some use a screwdriver to try and get the tapered washers to turn. Some come off easy some take a LONG time and lots of hammering.
Smack downwards, and side to side...never upwards. then use the screwdriver to unscrew the tapered, split, cone washers out. Last one I did took me under 10 minutes.
Rene
Rene
I've removed a few in my days and I had all of them off within 5 minutes except for one that laughed at me for about 2 hours. 
I feel your frustration on that one.
I feel your frustration on that one.
OK, so I figured I'd put my money where my mouth was seeing as I have a 10 bolt here that needed the stock steering arm off.
15 minutes or so for this one...
Rene
15 minutes or so for this one...
Rene
It will take some time. Rene probably has the best idea and it worked for me. Try to find the split in the cone washer (use a wire brush or what not to remove gunk to find said split). get a small screw driver or punch and start taping it in a counter clockwise direction. Once you get it to start to (unthread) spin it will be your home stretch. Also, alot of penetrating oil.
Well, Rene had the right idea. The first one I took off was a real bear. Even after the cone washers were out the arm didn't want to leave the knuckle. The second one I did was still on the truck. It came off without having to remove the backing plate or anything. Some oil, a few good whacks, and the washers jumped up out of their holes. Go figure.
