I'm having trouble finding a puller that will push the tapered pin out of the upper steering u joint. I'd appreciate any guidance!
I don't want to hammer the pin out on the steering column and risk any damage to the column or mounts. I want to use some sort of puller to "push" it out. I have a couple of pullers/separators. The Pittman arm puller would work but the opening on the back side of the tool is too large and won't "stop" against the U-joint. https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-41900-Pitman-Arm-Puller/dp/B0009OR91K/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=pitman+arm+puller&qid=1618081153&sr=8-6
I wouldn't be too hopeful that it can be done -- the taper angle of the pin is so low that it is virtually self-locking. My experience was that they had to be destroyed/machined to get out and then replaced with new ones (and it definitely couldn't be done while in place).
Well, that's bad news re installing the EZ steer! I suppose if I pulled the steering column out I would have "easy" access to the u joint and could then hammer it out - or whatever since I could support the opposite side of the U joint. Never pulled the column before. To be honest I don't really WANT to do that but may have no choice. Doesn't appear all that difficult but... famous last words!
Found the tool for the job...but hate to pay 90+ bucks for a tool I will use only once in my life. OTOH, I've spent that much on a bad dinner out! https://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/products/product/TOOL107/
Once you tap the pin back a couple mms, it will drop out. If you are worried about damage to the taper hole you can always run a taper pin reamer in it.
I don't really want to remove the steering column and I'm worried about damaging the U-joint or steering column if I try to drive the pin out with the column in place. Frankly, I'd rather pay 90 bucks for the tool than remove the column. TBH, my priority is to get the car back in driving condition ASAP. So as soon as the Ricambi hoses arrive I'll install them/new coolant, new fuel hoses and get the car back into driving condition. I'll do the EZ steer and Sanden AC install (if I ever get a response from Polar Bear re the non-fitting bracket - no response on two attempts) some other time.
You are worried about damaging the column or mounts by hammering a pin out. If you can add some mass to the object you are hammering on you will reduce the reaction of the hammer blows to the rest of the assembly. In the past I had to drive a pin out of an object but was leery about damaging what it was attached to so I got some lead ingots and drilled a hole to provide a space for the pin to pass into and attached it to the object with duct tape. I don't have any idea if you have room to do something like that but I thought I'd mention what I've done in the past. I had lead ingots left over from making fishing sinkers.
The tool does not look too difficult to make out of some construction metal plates (not sure the wording is right here) ... but when you build a house, you use different kinds of brackets to join pieces of wood together. I usually check those out in the hardware store to find some with the correct holes and then buy some bolts to it. Of course, it is easy to drill holes as well, but I find it easier to cut metal pieces with an angle grinder.
