96 850T Delta Link and Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement Saga

[RussB]

I repaired the 9995497 tool today. Straightened the frame & threaded rod and made a new pin. Ready to rock it again this coming weekend...

[abscate]

In the long thread on delta link removal someone referred to eight minutes of heating, fwiw

[RussB]

I'll cook 'em 'till they boil!

[kahl]

when I do them I heat the casting until the rubber starts to smoke, then liberal amount of WD40 then with the impact connected to the tool they pull right off.

on install get the link evenly started with a small hammer. Then a couple wacks with a sledge will fully seat them.

[RussB]

I would not spray ANYTHING onto the arms after heating the links with a torch. The risk of flame up is for real, and the penetrant won't get where it needs to be because it's cooking off, making toxic fumes.

[kahl]

Done 4 cars with this method, no flames...just telling you what has worked..good luck

[cn90]

I remember reading somewhere that people drill it out using standard drill bits.

[abscate]

In the summary link posted nearby, drilling, easing oil, burning out have all been successful.

If you use the tool and under tension, the delta links do not move, STOP! Do not keep tensioning the tool as something will break. Oil, heat and/or drill.

[RussB]

In the summary link posted nearby, drilling, easing oil, burning out have all been successful.

If you use the tool and under tension, the delta links do not move, STOP! Do not keep tensioning the tool as something will break. Oil, heat and/or drill.

This I can confirm!

I will also drill them first to relieve some friction, then burn 'em. Then pull 'em with the tool. They WILL come out this time around!

[RussB]

Right side link R & R'd

Tough job. Heat was my friend. Once the rubber boiled and bubbled, the 5497 tool was able to pull the old link out. See how it left all the rubber/plastic behind when it was removed from the trailing arm. It sure looked bad!




Here's the new Scan-Tech unit installed. The 5497 tool was used to press it in as well






The big hassle was the trailing arm bushing. I attacked the passenger side/right side one. It did NOT want to come out. The bolts have become one with the cast aluminum bushing housings. Both sheared off. That bushing was replaced in 2006, and it was replaced with the WRONG bushing! I had purchased both bushings back in '06, and had my mechanic install the right-side only. He put the wrong one in!!!