What's the best/easiest technique for removing the old rubber connectors an replacing them with new ones. The existing ones just slide apart, but the metal insert is crimped on. How do I get that metal end off without damaging the rod?
on my '47 i gently cut it off the rod, found the side facing down and used a punch on the bottom side. i guess you could make something and put it in the vice......like 1/8" plate, drill a hole slightly smaller then the connector, cut it in half and vice away ????.
Had a similar experience with my car. You can file or grind the old connector section so it will come loose. Then clean the connecting rod end with sandpaper or dremel wire wheel. Apply some loctite ( highest strength) into the hole in the new connector and quickly shove the rod into the connector. You can also clamp that section in a vice and squeeze the dickens out of it. Be careful you orient the two sections of your pull rods before doing the second attactment as the rubber connectors won't twist very much.
On mine, I was able to just replace the rubber elbow. I just pushed the metal linkages into the rubber and it popped into place. They have been holding like that probably for 10 years.