How do I take this off?

[Edbert]

Here's a picture of the bolt that goes through the bracket on my AOD that I am trying to hook my linkage up to. The new bolt is supposed to replace this one but I've never seen one like it on the old cars (damn the newer ones, I hate working on them ). Here's the picture:

 

[reenmachine]

What's on the head? Is there any sort of opening??

 

[Edbert]

The greenish grey bushing seems to have the bolt completely captured. The bolt that you see the threads of turns freely inside the bushing, the cone-shaped part on on side seems to be all one-peice with the threads and the "flange" (?) on the side with the threads. There are two "flats" on the small part of the flange near the threads that seem to allow for a wrench to be used but it does not seem to turn.

The linkage is from a 91 Stang, maybe I should post this in one of those forums. The problem is every time I ask a detailed question over there it gets ignored. They are real good at recommending which bolt-on to buy but I get the feeling that they do not spend that much time under their cars turning tools, and just pay some shop to do the work. Having spent 1.5 hours myself just to change out a set of spark plug wires I have to admit i understand WHY they do that...LOL. Did I mention I hate working on new cars?

 

[67coupe351w]

Do you need to save the bolt?

If not I would just go at it with an angle grinder.

 

[12sec67]

use a pair of pliers- put a bite on the linkage and a bite on the head of the bolt and squeeze. it will come off but it is hard. if someone is there to help you have them pull one the bolt as well while you doing this.

 

[68rustang]

Do you need to save the bolt?

If not I would just go at it with an angle grinder.

almost always works

use a pair of pliers- put a bite on the linkage and a bite on the head of the bolt and squeeze. it will come off but it is hard. if someone is there to help you have them pull one the bolt as well while you doing this.

It look slike it is supposed to "pop" in and out. If the pliers trick doesn't work I would try turning the washer looking thing with the flat spots on it. Losening that might free up the whole linkage.

 

[Edbert]

I like the idea of leaving the bushing in there, it should make the linkage stronger and more solid. I am pretty sure I can turn the flange with the flats on it my gripping the bolt with some vise grips but that will probably munge the threads beyond repair. There's no way I can grab the "cone" tightly enough, it is tapered and pretty small (the photo is much larger than actual size). I did not mess with it any more over the weekend, I moved on to other things

Speaking of which my relays are all wired up, and the starter/ignition circuits are all done. I still need to do some runs of 8ga primary wire for the main power to fusebox and the charging circuit though. I ran onto another snag, I need to locate the plastic plug that connects to the "neutral-safety and backup-light" plug on the AOD. Does anyone have one of these they'd sell?

 

[geostang351]

Edbert, when you get your neutral safety and back-up light plug can you explain the wire hook-ups for that. I need it for my recent AOD swap. Thanks

 

[Capt Dan]

Do you have room to cut a slot into the head (or thread end) with a hacksaw for a screwdriver?