Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bfr57 · 04-27-2021, 03:01 PM

Bought my 72 with the 4" lift already installed, but with stock steering arm on the 44. Found a raised one on Craigslist cheap and went to install and ran into problem right away. Seems someone along the way didn't know what they were doing and really buggered up 2 of the 3 the cone washers with a punch or something. I tried all of my tricks of penetrating oil, BFH, and air hammer. Only the one washer they didn't damage came out. Didn't put heat on it as I don't really want to replace ball joint boot. Any suggestions? I thought of trying to drill out the washers. Figure if I destroy the old arm, oh well. But I also figure they're hardened and might not drill very well?

**bigmac73** · 04-28-2021, 07:07 AM

Pics will help

**Ol Blue K20** · 04-28-2021, 07:20 AM

I hate those cones. I've had to use heat on the arm and a BFH. Frustrating I know, but you will win!

57taskforce · 04-28-2021, 08:23 AM

Those cones suck. Post some pictures up so we can see exactly how they are messed up. I’ve had a few that I had to use heat on as well.

**Ol Blue K20** · 04-28-2021, 09:01 AM

I have also used a deep socket bigger than the top of the cone. Whack the socket to get the cone to pop. Heat and Kroil are your friends. Pics please..

LONGHORN1962 · 04-28-2021, 06:38 PM

The cone washers should be available from most auto parts stores. They were sold as an axle shaft cone washer for HD trucks. Dorman made them.

bfr57 · 04-29-2021, 10:19 AM

Almost gave up and left stock one on, but patience prevailed. Kept the Kroil on them and concentrated my air hammer to the top of the studs with a nut on; hadn't done much of that since I as was worried about messing up the studs/threads. It took a good minute or two and started to see a little movement of the washers. Then it was just a matter of gently using a chisel to move them right to left and just kept working them. One had to be literally "threaded" off the stud as the washer was mashed into the stud. Good thing all stud threads were saved and the only carnage was messing up threads on a nut from the air hammer and 2 washers. I can deal with that! Thanks for the help!
Oh, if you have an air hammer, get this attachment if you don't have one. Works awesome!

04-27-2021, 03:01 PM	#1
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage Bought my 72 with the 4" lift already installed, but with stock steering arm on the 44. Found a raised one on Craigslist cheap and went to install and ran into problem right away. Seems someone along the way didn't know what they were doing and really buggered up 2 of the 3 the cone washers with a punch or something. I tried all of my tricks of penetrating oil, BFH, and air hammer. Only the one washer they didn't damage came out. Didn't put heat on it as I don't really want to replace ball joint boot. Any suggestions? I thought of trying to drill out the washers. Figure if I destroy the old arm, oh well. But I also figure they're hardened and might not drill very well?

04-28-2021, 07:07 AM	#2
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage Pics will help __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks

04-28-2021, 07:20 AM	#3
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage I hate those cones. I've had to use heat on the arm and a BFH. Frustrating I know, but you will win! __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

04-28-2021, 08:23 AM	#4
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Farmington, New Mexico Posts: 6,230	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage Those cones suck. Post some pictures up so we can see exactly how they are messed up. I’ve had a few that I had to use heat on as well. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0

04-28-2021, 09:01 AM	#5
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage I have also used a deep socket bigger than the top of the cone. Whack the socket to get the cone to pop. Heat and Kroil are your friends. Pics please.. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

04-28-2021, 06:38 PM	#6
LONGHORN1962 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Weatherford Oklahoma Posts: 53	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage The cone washers should be available from most auto parts stores. They were sold as an axle shaft cone washer for HD trucks. Dorman made them.

04-29-2021, 10:19 AM	#7
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Re: Steering Arm Cone Washer Damage Almost gave up and left stock one on, but patience prevailed. Kept the Kroil on them and concentrated my air hammer to the top of the studs with a nut on; hadn't done much of that since I as was worried about messing up the studs/threads. It took a good minute or two and started to see a little movement of the washers. Then it was just a matter of gently using a chisel to move them right to left and just kept working them. One had to be literally "threaded" off the stud as the washer was mashed into the stud. Good thing all stud threads were saved and the only carnage was messing up threads on a nut from the air hammer and 2 washers. I can deal with that! Thanks for the help! Oh, if you have an air hammer, get this attachment if you don't have one. Works awesome! Attached Images



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