Torque rods kicking my butt

[rtadams89]

I tried drilling it already with a hand drill and a 29/64 bit. Didn't get very far.

 

[rtadams89]

Went back today and manged to drill and tap a 1/2-13 hole in one of the upper bushings. I attached a chain and a load binder and succeeded in bending the 1/2 inch bolt, but the bushing didn't budge. I also tried using a pickle fork and hammer on the threaded end while the whole thing was under load from the load binder; nothing moved. What's left to try? Drilling/cutting the whole thing out?

 

[rtadams89]

Well I finally got them out. I ended up having to do everything at once to get them to budge. I drilled/taped them for a 1/2 bolt, and used that along with some 3/8 chain and chain binder run across the frame to pull on them. At the same time, I rigged up a pickle fork/air hammer with some ratchet straps and bungee cords to vibrate everything. I also heated the socket, then dunked the exposed bushing end into some dry ice & rubbing alcohol. Finally, I beat on the threaded end with a 3/4 steel rod and a 15 pound hammer. Even with all that going at the same time, it still took 5 solid smacks with the hammer to finally get them to pop out. Looking at the bushings and sockets, they look immaculate and smooth; not sure what could have been holding them in so tightly.

 

[rustystud]

Well I finally got them out. I ended up having to do everything at once to get them to budge. I drilled/taped them for a 1/2 bolt, and used that along with some 3/8 chain and chain binder run across the frame to pull on them. At the same time, I rigged up a pickle fork/air hammer with some ratchet straps and bungee cords to vibrate everything. I also heated the socket, then dunked the exposed bushing end into some dry ice & rubbing alcohol. Finally, I beat on the threaded end with a 3/4 steel rod and a 15 pound hammer. Even with all that going at the same time, it still took 5 solid smacks with the hammer to finally get them to pop out. Looking at the bushings and sockets, they look immaculate and smooth; not sure what could have been holding them in so tightly.

That's the power of a tapered socket. Be sure to put "anti-seize" back on the new tapered shaft ends. I use "Marine" grade anti-seize. It doesn't wash off as easily as the other ones.

 

[cattlerepairman]

Well I finally got them out. I ended up having to do everything at once to get them to budge. I drilled/taped them for a 1/2 bolt, and used that along with some 3/8 chain and chain binder run across the frame to pull on them. At the same time, I rigged up a pickle fork/air hammer with some ratchet straps and bungee cords to vibrate everything. I also heated the socket, then dunked the exposed bushing end into some dry ice & rubbing alcohol. Finally, I beat on the threaded end with a 3/4 steel rod and a 15 pound hammer. Even with all that going at the same time, it still took 5 solid smacks with the hammer to finally get them to pop out. Looking at the bushings and sockets, they look immaculate and smooth; not sure what could have been holding them in so tightly.

You certainly have the tenacity needed to wrestle 40 year old mechanics into submission! Glad you are on your way to finally finish the job.

 

[rtadams89]

Got the new bushings installed and all 6 rods replaced. Took her for a test drive and then rechecked all the torques on the bolts. Things seem to be working! Now I have a few used torque rods I need to get listed in the classifieds.