i'm in the process of trying to remove the center link, the haynes manual is very vague about this. it seems straight forward enough, but i can't get it.

i've tried the gear puller, and beating it with a hammer. i wish i had taken pictures.

the center link has 4 points of connection. the bolts at the tie rods, facing downwards and at an angle, and the two horizontal bolts, just above, and inwards of those.

the angled bolts are giving me trouble. i tried the gear puller on those. i really dont want to have remove the tie rods.

anyway, a little more insight to this would be great, i will get pictures up tomorrow.

Nick

 

Just pop the tie rods at either end. If you don't need to remove the link, breaking 1 tie rod will allow it to swing out of the way. I usually hammer them loose with the nut threads 3/4s on

 

lol. i guess i'm just an idiot then. i'm going to try again tomorrow, i ran out of light today obviously. thanks

Nick

 

there's a tool just for this.


another method i've found that works is if u take a ball peen hammer and hit the side of the part that the tapered shaft passes thru, it will pop right out.

 

bumpity bump.

i'm just an idiot. i got it off. a completely unrelated question, i removed the oil pan to clean it up and stop a leak. its in pretty bad shape. i'm going to paint the outside with rustoleom, but thoughts on putting a thin coat, or something similar on the inside, its not terrible, and yes, the oil will keep it from rusting on the inside, but just curious

 

Do you think the oil pan is rusting through or just surface rust on the outside?

I wouldn't recomend that you paint the inside for any reason, if its that bad just buy a used one off of the forum.

 

no point in painting the inside.... besides mazda already did

 

i figured it was a bad idea, just thought i'd ask.

thanks guys,
Nick