Trying to replace steering damper cant get old one off

[abk]

Just got the Carli steering damper in and I am not able to get the old one out.

What is the trick to pull the compression fitting from the track bar. I was able to get the nut off and then beat it with a hammer some but it would not budge.

Thanks for yalls help

[stratotrev]

You probably got it out by now but I just put a new damper on my '06 yesterday. Obviously different trucks, but if yours is like mine getting the old one out is a pain. I used my tie rod puller to press on it and get it to pop out. From there is was super simple.

[abk]

Where can I get a tie rod puller?

[stratotrev]

You can get them at any parts store or anywhere you can buy tools usually. I think I got mine at Sears for like $25-30. Should look something like this. You can hook it around and crank up to break loose the pressed in piece.

[abk]

Would it be a bad idea to throw a wrench on the hex part on the bolt and try to twist it?

[stratotrev]

Do you mean on the old damper? Or the one on the puller? If you mean the damper I would say probably whatever you can Get to work within reason. I'm not too familiar with the newer front ends but if it's like mine you probably aren't going to hurt much. And you're most likely gonna toss the old damper so don't worry about hurting it. I beat my old one to death with a hammer, twisted on it, and pryed on it for quite A while before I realized I could press it out with the puller. The puller if you find one, the threaded bolt like piece should have a square that fits a 3/8 socket wrench to use as your handle leverage. Hope I'm helping at least a little bit.

[abk]

I meant the bolt on the damper. Once I posted I realized it made me sound like a moron. I'll try to find one that will fit around the track bar. The one I have is too big. Thanks for your help

[stratotrev]

Haha, that's why I threw that in at the end, sometimes I worry I'm not making any sense at all. Glad I could help a little and hope you get that bugger off soon. You'll really like having a good quality damper on there. It made a huge difference in my front end.

[abk]

Yeah. I think the next thing I'll have to do is tighten up my steering box though cause it is a little loose. But it might just be the damper. I'm about to go play with it again, haven't been able to mess with it since lunch

[stratotrev]

Well good luck with it. Hope you get it out, and hope it helps with the steering.