Steering damper

[Duff51]

Hi All
I would love to replace my steering damper as it is original 86 vintage but after removing the cotter pin and then nut on the right and the nut/bolt on the left I can't get the damper stud to drop free of the arm it goes through. I am sure the offending stud isn't tapered but straight. Do you apply lots of heat and pry down or use a porta power to pry it down? Just kidding about the porta power but it won't budge. Help
Duff

[eaglefreek]

On 2 of mine they came right off, but both those cars were from Colorado. Since your in Ohio, I would suspect rust. may need some penetrating liquid and or heat and some persuasion.

[lapoltba]

Hi All
I would love to replace my steering damper as it is original 86 vintage but after removing the cotter pin and then nut on the right and the nut/bolt on the left I can't get the damper stud to drop free of the arm it goes through. I am sure the offending stud isn't tapered but straight. Do you apply lots of heat and pry down or use a porta power to pry it down? Just kidding about the porta power but it won't budge. Help
Duff

It is indeed tapered.  I was in the EXACT same situation.  I ended up cutting off the stud on the lower half to get a socket over the hex.  Using a big breaker bar and a whole lot of force it went "POP".  I the realized it was tapered and felt like an idiot.  Get yourself a ball joint puller and see if you can get it in there.

[carnuck]

If it's in a spot you can access, I put a hammer or body dolly on one side and smack the other with a hammer to "squeeze" the pin out, kind of like squeezing a zit.