pantera928 Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 I bought some quick steering arms for my 1980 Avanti after being told by others that some time in the mid 70s that they used a forklift steering box which did not have as close of a ratio as the original steering box did and that later Blake built the cars with these arms already installed. Who knew? Well, the instructions sound nice and easy but after trying to drive the old arms out of 3 hours, i gave up before i totally destroyed the old nuts and arms. The instructions said to tap out the old arms with a brass hammer. Well, guess again. I tried using a sledge with a brass hammer held against the nut and the arm with the nut loose and it never budged. I put it all back together before i reached the point of no return. Any of you done this and know an easier way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64studeavanti Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 My experience has been to use a hydraulic press. They are really in there good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 I like to use an impact or air hammer gun.....(of course, it also requires an air compressor).....The 'shock' from the successive raps from the air hammer usually drives out almost any seized item! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avanti83 Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 2 hours ago, 64studeavanti said: My experience has been to use a hydraulic press. They are really in there good. Same experience here. IAC I reverse the nut and turn it down flush with the top of the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 Thanks for the replies. I have air and a press but was trying to do it on the car without disassembly like the instructions show. I guess I may need to wait until I rebuild my front end, if ever since it is not in need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 2 hours ago, mfg said: I like to use an impact or air hammer gun.....(of course, it also requires an air compressor).....The 'shock' from the successive raps from the air hammer usually drives out almost any seized item! Have you tried using a air hammer with the front suspension still on the car to do this job? Not sure how I would do that. I have all of the tools to do most anything as I used to own a auto repair business many moons ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 1 hour ago, pantera928 said: Have you tried using a air hammer with the front suspension still on the car to do this job? Not sure how I would do that. I have all of the tools to do most anything as I used to own a auto repair business many moons ago. Yes, that's what I meant...no suspension disassembly required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 1 hour ago, mfg said: Yes, that's what I meant...no suspension disassembly required. Well, when I feel like trying again, I could try. Where do you suggest placing an air hammer? I do not want to destroy anything if it doesn't do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 7 hours ago, pantera928 said: Well, when I feel like trying again, I could try. Where do you suggest placing an air hammer? I do not want to destroy anything if it doesn't do the job. Well, I'd remove the steering arm retaining nut, then reverse it and screw it back on till its flush with the threaded end of arm...Then I'd use a air chisel bit with a round, flat, blunt end and hammer away.......That way if somehow the arm still doesn't move, you can remove the nut, chase the threads, and then replace the nut. (or perhaps install a new nut....Good luck with this!.....Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 27 minutes ago, mfg said: Well, I'd remove the steering arm retaining nut, then reverse it and screw it back on till its flush with the threaded end of arm...Then I'd use a air chisel bit with a round, flat, blunt end and hammer away.......That way if somehow the arm still doesn't move, you can remove the nut, chase the threads, and then replace the nut. (or perhaps install a new nut....Good luck with this!.....Ed Thanks. I will think about it and if the mood hits me, try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfelr Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 RQB3263/81/305 I discussed this here a while back....check my posts and pics i think...... ill make it easy for you.....air hammer/rivet gun/WD40 or PB Blaster.....10 minutes....and a ball joint removal tool from Harbor Freight......BILL in Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 4 hours ago, wildfelr said: RQB3263/81/305 I discussed this here a while back....check my posts and pics i think...... ill make it easy for you.....air hammer/rivet gun/WD40 or PB Blaster.....10 minutes....and a ball joint removal tool from Harbor Freight......BILL in Florida Thanks. A ball joint removal tool? I have all of those items but not sure how I would use a ball joint removal tool on the steering arm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 4 hours ago, wildfelr said: RQB3263/81/305 I discussed this here a while back....check my posts and pics i think...... ill make it easy for you.....air hammer/rivet gun/WD40 or PB Blaster.....10 minutes....and a ball joint removal tool from Harbor Freight......BILL in Florida They must have purged the posts at the start of the year. I cannot see anything you posted before January 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 Well, now I dug further and found posts back to April of 2021. Must have been before that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 I drive my '83 Avanti a lot...and my '85 sometimes.....The'85 has the short steering arms. (factory) In my opinion, there isn't much difference in steering 'quickness' between the two Avantis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 18 minutes ago, mfg said: I drive my '83 Avanti a lot...and my '85 sometimes.....The'85 has the short steering arms. (factory) In my opinion, there isn't much difference in steering 'quickness' between the two Avantis. Interesting observation. Makes me think I should give this up. Especially since I cannot figure out how to use my air hammer without damaging things.. My car only has 26,000 original miles on it and it is tight, no slop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfelr Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 HE who said there is not much difference with the quick steer arms is correct.... not much... a little .... so go ahead and change them....When using an air hammer etc do not reinstall the nut and hammer on the nut.....hammer directly on the threaded end......the ball joint removal tool puts mega pressure on the threaded end of the ball joint with the nut removed.... then usually one good smack with a hammerand it will pop loose with no damage so it can be reinstalled....... do not use a"pickle fork" ball joint remover.....worse comes to worse a little heat from a propane torch on the out side boss where the arm goes in will do it ....do not hear the arm.....this would be extreme ......I cant imagine any taper fit standing up to an air hammer very long...... my most difficult was 2 min..... clean and install new arms with anti-seize ....someone someday will thank you.....pull the nut very tight ....BILL IN FLORIDA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 1 hour ago, wildfelr said: HE who said there is not much difference with the quick steer arms is correct.... not much... a little .... so go ahead and change them....When using an air hammer etc do not reinstall the nut and hammer on the nut.....hammer directly on the threaded end......the ball joint removal tool puts mega pressure on the threaded end of the ball joint with the nut removed.... then usually one good smack with a hammerand it will pop loose with no damage so it can be reinstalled....... do not use a"pickle fork" ball joint remover.....worse comes to worse a little heat from a propane torch on the out side boss where the arm goes in will do it ....do not hear the arm.....this would be extreme ......I cant imagine any taper fit standing up to an air hammer very long...... my most difficult was 2 min..... clean and install new arms with anti-seize ....someone someday will thank you.....pull the nut very tight ....BILL IN FLORIDA Thanks Bill When the pine pollen decreases, I will try again. Did you ever get your driver's window fixed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdaly Posted March 28, 2022 Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, pantera928 said: Well, now I dug further and found posts back to April of 2021. Must have been before that time. FYI - this particular Forum has 55 pages - goes Waaaay back (2005) - keep trying!😍 Edited March 28, 2022 by wdaly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, wdaly said: FYI - this particular Forum has 55 pages - goes Waaaay back (2005) - keep trying!😍 I know. I was just searching through posts by wildfeir when I clicked on that name. Edited March 28, 2022 by pantera928 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfelr Posted March 29, 2022 Report Share Posted March 29, 2022 RQB 3263/81/305....HERE IS PIC OF BALL JOINT REMOVAL TOOL FROM Harbor Freight probably about 10$ it worked well... not yet on the window...it goes to trim shop tomorrow to have door panel removed...BILL IN FLORIDA.... wildfelr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantera928 Posted March 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2022 54 minutes ago, wildfelr said: RQB 3263/81/305....HERE IS PIC OF BALL JOINT REMOVAL TOOL FROM Harbor Freight probably about 10$ it worked well... not yet on the window...it goes to trim shop tomorrow to have door panel removed...BILL IN FLORIDA.... wildfelr Thanks for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight FitzSimons Posted March 29, 2022 Report Share Posted March 29, 2022 10 hours ago, mfg said: I drive my '83 Avanti a lot...and my '85 sometimes.....The'85 has the short steering arms. (factory) In my opinion, there isn't much difference in steering 'quickness' between the two Avantis. Does your '83 have the older Ross steering box, or the later forklift box? --Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfelr Posted March 29, 2022 Report Share Posted March 29, 2022 RQB3263/81/305.......Pine pollen, what pine pollen, I thought that was just gold tinted clear coat😝..... off to the trim shop with 3263 and lunch out,,,BILL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdaly Posted March 29, 2022 Report Share Posted March 29, 2022 1 hour ago, wildfelr said: RQB3263/81/305.......Pine pollen, what pine pollen, I thought that was just gold tinted clear coat😝..... off to the trim shop with 3263 and lunch out,,,BILL Pollen - we don't have any stinking Pollen - not here in Wisconsin (not yet) 🥶 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now