Name This...Please!

[pjtoledo]

Autozone and Advance Auto have both recently upgraded from the plastic endlinks to solid metal units. I forget where I bought the MOOGs (they are non-greaseable), but Im thinking it was Advance Auto. Other endlink is still metal but the shaft is a bit thinner and overall it doesnt look/feel as strong as the MOOG links, but both should do the job quite well. Price has not changed @ 24.99 each.

pjtoledo,
I hear ya. The nuts/studs are hard as **** to remove up here. The easiest way Ive found is heat up the joint with a MAP gas torch, pop it off with a hammer (or crowbar, but be careful) so the ball/stud is exposed. Clean it up (so it doesnt smoke), reheat the nut until red and put a vice grip on the ball to stop it from turning. Use an impact to work the nut off. The 5/16" connection on the front of the stud is just too small (Ive broken 3 sockets) to handle the rust. Another improvement with the new endlinks is they have a 17mm (or 19mm, cant remember) groove behind the stud making installation and removal a breeze, even in the rustbelt states!

Man, that sounds like work. Use a pipe wrench on the ball instead of vice grips, much more grip power. Try this method if you get a chance: drill a hole in the nut. Yep, take a punch and set a dimple on the side of the nut right at the stud threads. Then just drill thru one side of the nut, hit it with a chisel to crack it and open it up, pull it off with a pair of pliers. Sure , playing with fire is fun,,,just not around MY ride.

Perry

 

[revhardSHO]

Man, that sounds like work. Use a pipe wrench on the ball instead of vice grips, much more grip power. Try this method if you get a chance: drill a hole in the nut. Yep, take a punch and set a dimple on the side of the nut right at the stud threads. Then just drill thru one side of the nut, hit it with a chisel to crack it and open it up, pull it off with a pair of pliers. Sure , playing with fire is fun,,,just not around MY ride.

Perry

Ive tried the pipe wrench idea but it just rattles off with the impact (and makes it hard to hold).
Ive changed about 5 sets in the past few months and needless to say it hasnt gotten any easier. Perhaps I will try the drilling method next time.

Never sieze compound is a must for any car in the rustbelt. I coat everything! Oddly enough I find it therapeutic too.

 

[Porkchop]

I have the moog GREASEABLE endlinks on my car after I snapped my OE plastic ones in half.

But after having to do various suspension component work the "gear ratchet" from sears is a godsend when it comes to suspension work, that and mapp gas :****:

But anyway the gear ratchet allows you to use two wrenches at once that is awesome for endlink work. The kit is like $50 but it has DEFINITLY come in handy doing other engine/suspension work

 

[pjtoledo]

Ive tried the pipe wrench idea but it just rattles off with the impact (and makes it hard to hold).
Ive changed about 5 sets in the past few months and needless to say it hasnt gotten any easier. Perhaps I will try the drilling method next time.

Never sieze compound is a must for any car in the rustbelt. I coat everything! Oddly enough I find it therapeutic too.

You are 100% correct, the pipe wrench won't work when an impact is involved. But they do work just fine when a regular wrench is used against it. Plus, the pipe wrench will clamp down on the exposed ball, or if lined up correctly will get a monster grip on the 5/16 hex stud.

Perry

 

[DHMag]

I have the moog GREASEABLE endlinks on my car after I snapped my OE plastic ones in half.

But after having to do various suspension component work the "gear ratchet" from sears is a godsend when it comes to suspension work, that and mapp gas :****:

But anyway the gear ratchet allows you to use two wrenches at once that is awesome for endlink work. The kit is like $50 but it has DEFINITLY come in handy doing other engine/suspension work

gearrachet wrenches arent a must. when removing a fron endlink nut, i use 2 wrenches and squeeze them together. youd be surprised how much force one can get out of this method of nut removal.