Centerlink replacing advice
Centerlink replacing advice
So after I went to get an alignment they charged me 20 dollars to tell me my centerlink is bad because of the verticle play. I already have a replacement and have rented a pickle fork set. Just looking for any tips on what exactly to do to avoid damaging the steering box and anything else. Thanks in advance.
If you've got an Advance Auto near you, they'll lend you the tools for free (you 'pay' for them when you take them home, but get a full refund when you bring them back.) Lots of other stores have similar loaner programs. The set I borrowed to swap out the tie rods on my e32 had both of the tools stevemd pictured above; I only needed the bottom one.
When getting the things off, it's best to loosen the nuts on the ball joints but don't take the nut all the way off. That way the lever can push against the nut and not the threaded end of the ball joint, which can seriously mess with the threads and make it difficult to get the nut back on.
And what Sherman (1st 5er) is true as well; if you're not sure when the parts were replaced, it might not hurt to replace some other things while you're there. Replacing the Pitman isn't likely necessary, but the idler arm and bushing are relatively cheap, and really easy to replace while you're doing the center link. And this would be a great time to do the tie rods as well. But if the boots are still intact on the tie rods, and the threads on them don't appear to be rusty, I wouldn't bother.
And when ordering parts, go for Meyle or Lemfoerder; many of the other parts are extremely inferior to those two, and while you'll save some money on them, you'll end up doing the job much sooner than if you went with the top dogs.
I replaced the center link on my e32 a while back but didn't bother with the tie rods; took it in for an alignment, and the guy couldn't get the adjuster on one of them loose, so had to replace one anyway. No idea what brand it was, but I ended up replacing both of them a year later because the ball joint failed on the 'new' one. Lemfoerder is on there now.
When getting the things off, it's best to loosen the nuts on the ball joints but don't take the nut all the way off. That way the lever can push against the nut and not the threaded end of the ball joint, which can seriously mess with the threads and make it difficult to get the nut back on.
And what Sherman (1st 5er) is true as well; if you're not sure when the parts were replaced, it might not hurt to replace some other things while you're there. Replacing the Pitman isn't likely necessary, but the idler arm and bushing are relatively cheap, and really easy to replace while you're doing the center link. And this would be a great time to do the tie rods as well. But if the boots are still intact on the tie rods, and the threads on them don't appear to be rusty, I wouldn't bother.
And when ordering parts, go for Meyle or Lemfoerder; many of the other parts are extremely inferior to those two, and while you'll save some money on them, you'll end up doing the job much sooner than if you went with the top dogs.
I replaced the center link on my e32 a while back but didn't bother with the tie rods; took it in for an alignment, and the guy couldn't get the adjuster on one of them loose, so had to replace one anyway. No idea what brand it was, but I ended up replacing both of them a year later because the ball joint failed on the 'new' one. Lemfoerder is on there now.