Trying to pull the PS rack... and I just cannot get the bastard out... I took out the "cotter pin" (that is the first time I've seen something like that... f'ing weird) and removed the nut that I guess holds it on...

Tried bashing it with a hammer, caveman style... and I get nothing, not a mm of movement.

Most of the stuff in this car is rusted on as I'm noticing... I soaked it up with engine degreaser and then Triflow so hopefully in the morning maybe it will have penetrated better..

Anyway, so I started to think I'll just remove the end links from that ball joint and figure out how to take out the ball joint later.

No go... what tool do you use to get the bastard out of there after you loosen up the setting bolt?

I vaguely remember something about a puller mentioned somewhere, before I threw that POS Haynes manual across the room... f'ing useless...

EDIT: Oh NICE... Thanks Mazda, you've yet again made some bullshit specialty tool for this situation... which is just a fancy press that fits onto the end link. GAH. (Just found this in the FSM)

--Gary

 

i had the same problem with my car and was eventually forced into using a gear puller...but after i found that a prying fork almost like a crow bar that gradually thickens can be hammered inbetween there with a mallet to seperate this either way you are most likely going to need a somewhat specialized tool... at least more than a hammer go to the store or a friend with access

sorry man i hate coming to a standstill cuz of lack of tools

 

Yeah, definitely use a jaw type gear puller. Works great.

 

I tried that technique on the a arms ball joints; I ended up breaking the ball joint boot, and was never able to break it loose completly due to the fork not being thick enough (mind you it was the thickest one I could rent)!

 

Get a strong pry bar and place it as if your going to pry the joint apart. Exert a great deal of force on the bar and smack the area wher the stud goes through HARD with a hammer. I always will keep the nut on so that when it breaks loose I don't go flying. If I want to save the boot I'll use this method, otherwise a fork will work, even if you need to put some type of filler in there.