I'm trying to replace the steering stabilizer on my 1996 Dodge Ram 4x4. The problem I'm having is removing the bolt that connects to the tie-rod. I've got the nut off the back of bolt but does that bolt thread through the tie-rod and does it come off counter clockwise? The damn thing won't budge.

Thanks,
Mark

 

It doesn't thread ... it's just frozen in place ... bag of tricks time. [8D]

Penetrating oil ... BFH ... wrench to work it loose ... heat ... ice ... name it.

 

Thanks. Got the liquid wrench on it now and the giant/wrench vise-grips and torch on standby.

Mark

 

When i replaced mine on my 95 2500 i got the torch and heated the bolt until it got red hot and it drove right out.

 

Replaced mine last night with a nice Rancho. We had to beat that bolt out.
The factor stabilizer was made in Brazil & was no longer working.
Big difference in steering now.

 

Did you have to take the tie rod off to get the bolt out? I tried liquid wrench and some heat and it won't come out. I haven't tried taking the tie-rod off. I guess I'll try more heat and see what happens. Thing is frozen in there pretty good.

Mark

 

Heres what i did...Just soak the bolts and nuts in some WD 40 for about 30 minutes. Get under Truck. Brace myself on the passanger tire, and pull like hell on the wrench. It took a lot of elbow grease, but it got the job done. Did not have to remove any parts of the truck except the crappy OE stabalizer. You will definatly have to pull hard, but it will come, and if you break the bolt, so what, you got new ones. Just pull like a mad man! Heres the after pic...

[IMG]local://upfiles/37884/F8BD2D266E2543CC98DACB8D7DB7DDD5.jpg[/IMG]

 

heyy i had that rough country stabilizer too! for like a week...then i had an unfortunate slide down a ravine which bent my stabilizer almost in half...i'm running without a stabilizer at all now, and the steering is awesome.

 

Here's what's left of mine. Haven't replaced it yet. May never ... steering feels fine.

[IMG]local://upfiles/39331/86E7C5D550E74F39BFCDA05E672558C3.jpg[/IMG]