The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 51 steering arm question

I am upgrading my tie rod and drag links to the modern end replacement. I have the 53-54 pitman arm, drag link, and right side steering arm, but I don't have the left side steering arm. It looks like if I remove the ball studs from it, the holes will be the correct size for the ends to fit in. Is this right? Are the ball studs threaded in or pressed on a 51?

used 53-54 pitman arm and drag link: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2894288010100058208kCWQyd

right side steering arm: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2932763940100058208XMUebW

trying to remove ball studs: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2927634610100058208WFLjRj
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2696255980100058208hokHpL

I went out today and removed the ball studs from my old 51 steering arms. I was only able to remove the tie rod ball studs. The stud that the drag link attaches to on the left steering arm would not come out so easily. I am wondering if it is threaded in or not. However, it appears that one side is larger than the other (tapered fit). I can see the outline of the crack in the metal where the stud should separate from the steering arm.

right side ball stud removed: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2197542980100058208MXeiTP
53 and 51 steering arms (note no taper in the 53): http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2535098260100058208bvIBKG
Another view with the new tie rod end: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2037724820100058208TrXBhk
Ball removed from LH steering arm: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2037724820100058208TrXBhk
Here's the problem I had with getting out the ball that goes to the drag link on the LH steering arm: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2982782630100058208htCZWX
I can't tell if it is threaded or not, but one side seems larger than the other: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2445794590100058208zbBxpK

Justin,
I think that you will find the hole on the backside has a small area near the outside that is cut out slightly larger than the bore. This will have a very shallow depth but forms a ridge. The result is that the swaged material fills this in and makes it extremely difficult to drive it through.

see the stovebolt upgrade tech tip on this subject

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/draglink_adjustable.html
http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/tierod.htm

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/index.htm

The second link above tells the story that I was trying to explain.

I have already removed both ball studs on my old steering arm and it doesn't fit with the 53 drag link and pitman arm. The drag link end is too long and hits the axle when steering. The guy that sold me the 53 drag link and pitman arm has found the left side steering arm from the same assembly and is going to send that out. It has the hole on the drag link side and the ball on the pitman arm side, which I will punch out when I get it.