P38A Steering Drag Link.

Just a quick question gents. I've just bought a new drag link and was going to fit it tonight but rather than just rush in like I normally do I thought that I'd seek the advice of fellow forum members first.

Normally to remove the tapered ball joint from the hub I would just give the hub a couple of whacks with a large ball pein hammer but what about the steering arm end? What do you normally do? I don't want to damage anything in the steering box.

If you dont have a scissor spliter then two hammers at once, one either side

Thanks Brian, I was thinking maybe two hammers but now you’ve said that I’ll invest in a scissor splitter. It’ll come in useful in my retirement.

I had a large splitter that did my van and the p38 till i loaned it out

brianp38dse said:

I had a large splitter that did my van and the p38 till i loaned it out

Click to expand...

I've lost a few tools doing that,or get them back broken and not telling.

tomcat59alan said:

I've lost a few tools doing that,or get them back broken and not telling.

Click to expand...

The worst thing about it is i loaned it to him to do his j**p ckerokee he has seen the error of his ways and got a RR now all be it a sport

Just don't lend tools out... Sad but no disappointment.
You can guarantee that the moment you need it, someone else has as you say either still got or broke it

swac said:

Thanks Brian, I was thinking maybe two hammers but now you’ve said that I’ll invest in a scissor splitter. It’ll come in useful in my retirement.

Click to expand...

Good idea. I couldn't get the f*cker apart for love nor money with hammers. Borrowed a splitter and five minute job. Only other issue I recall is getting one of rhe nuts off as ot just kept turning. Think I put some pressure on with a pry bar to get it off. Or just use a whizzy-gun if you have one.

Normally i would have help him and taken back the splitter when finished but i had just had my eye transplant op so was not up to laying under motor getting covered in rubbish

brianp38dse said:

Normally i would have help him and taken back the splitter when finished but i had just had my eye transplant op so was not up to laying under motor getting covered in rubbish

Click to expand...

Nothing worse than muck in your eye,and the looks you get when you give it a scratch.

Grrrrrr said:

Good idea. I couldn't get the f*cker apart for love nor money with hammers. Borrowed a splitter and five minute job. Only other issue I recall is getting one of rhe nuts off as ot just kept turning. Think I put some pressure on with a pry bar to get it off. Or just use a whizzy-gun if you have one.

Click to expand...

If you are doing a replacement cut it off with angle grinder. Thats my preferred method

Rubberknees said:

If you are doing a replacement cut it off with angle grinder. Thats my preferred method

Click to expand...

I don't have a problem undoing the nut, and the angle grinder won't break the taper will it? Rather than beat the steering arm with a big hammer I've decided to buy a splitter and approach the task in a gentle manner.

swac said:

I don't have a problem undoing the nut, and the angle grinder won't break the taper will it? Rather than beat the steering arm with a big hammer I've decided to buy a splitter and approach the task in a gentle manner.

Click to expand...

Did find on mine the heat from cutting the end off made it pop out with the slightest of taps. I was replacing every thing so not bothered about any damage to the old one

Rubberknees said:

Did find on mine the heat from cutting the end off made it pop out with the slightest of taps. I was replacing every thing so not bothered about any damage to the old one

Click to expand...

Makes sense.

tomcat59alan said:

Nothing worse than muck in your eye,and the looks you get when you give it a scratch.

Click to expand...

But does it help you undo the nuts?

Just to update you all. I bought a scissor splitter and I hold the old linkage off in 10 minutes, made the job so much easier I wish that I'd bought one years ago. The rod ends were in very poor condition, both or the rubber boots were damaged, as was advised on the MOT, the rod end at the steering arm end was really loose and the other was seized solid. So if your rubber boots are damaged gentlemen I don't think that steering drag link will last long, and if it's just general wear and tear I wouldn't entertain the thought of changing just one rod end, do them both.