64 steering relay rod

[Robert V.]

Have replaced most of the steering linkage. Got to the end of the relay rod. How do you take the plug out of the shaft? Do the springs put pressure on the plug? Is there any other tips I should know about when putting the rebuild kit back in?

Thanks

[james Kekeisen]

Re: 64 steering relay rod

I presume you mean w/o power steering. I just did mine on my 68 and I think it is the same. Put the linkage in a vise. Remove the cotter pin that runs through the channel, that channel is just like a large regular screw driver slot. Find an appropriatly sized blade that fits the slot and unscrew the plug (I counted the exposed threads before removal so that I knew I would be reseating it at the appropriate depth. I used a crowbar that enabled me to put a wrench on the crowbar shaft to get leverage. Mine was covered with 30 years of road dirt but came out. Remove the springs and ball and seats, clean out the cavity of any old metal filings and grease. I replaced with a new kit installed with lots of grease in spring-seat-ball-seat-spring-plug order (tightened to line up the cotter slot) then recover it with the rubber seal and the safety bracket that I presume protects against a catastrophic separation.

[james Kekeisen]

Re: 64 steering relay rod

I presume you mean w/o power steering. I just did mine on my 68 and I think it is the same. Put the linkage in a vise. Remove the cotter pin that runs through the channel, that channel is just like a large regular screw driver slot. Find an appropriatly sized blade that fits the slot and unscrew the plug (I counted the exposed threads before removal so that I knew I would be reseating it at the appropriate depth. I used a crowbar that enabled me to put a wrench on the crowbar shaft to get leverage. Mine was covered with 30 years of road dirt but came out. Remove the springs and ball and seats, clean out the cavity of any old metal filings and grease. I replaced with a new kit installed with lots of grease in spring-seat-ball-seat-spring-plug order (tightened to line up the cotter slot) then recover it with the rubber seal and the safety bracket that I presume protects against a catastrophic separation.