A-arm questions

[fishEH]

I finally got my A-arm off, what a bitch.
-Does the upper ball joint just press in/out? I've removed both the small bolts but the joint is really in there still. Couldn't find anything in the RAVE regarding replacing this.

- The 6.5" long bolts joining the two A-arms and ball joint bracket are totally seized. I'm looking for tips getting those out. Maybe heat the A-arms and press the bolts out?

 

[beamacvt]

I put mine in a vice and used an air hammer... took about 5-10 minutes to knock it out... getting it to line up properly to press the new one in was the bitch.

I had to heat my a-arm up using a torch until it was GLOWING red to get those two long bolts out. A lot of patience and hammering.

 

[Bannon88]

Torch, vice, hammer, then impact. Repeat until you are completely frustrated...drink a beer, repeat a few more times. Curse plenty, at some point you may bang your knuckles and bleed a bit, but the bolts will come out.

 

[p m]

I got a ball joint out using a 4-lb sledgehammer (220kmi SW US truck), but was unable to bang the new one in. A press does a quick and easy job of it.

Feel bad for the guys in the Rust Belt.

 

[Vosa]

If you carefully cut off the "wings" of the old ball joint - the two pieces of plate that bolt the joint to the A frame - you can use a decent press to remove the joint. You have far more control using a press and you ( I ) usually loose far less blood.

Be carefull not to cut into the A frame too deeply.

Regards,

Peter.

 

[rover4x4]

did it this weekend, heat that bitch up till its red then beat the shit out of it. Put the new ball joint in the freezer and press it in.

 

[fishEH]

If you carefully cut off the "wings" of the old ball joint - the two pieces of plate that bolt the joint to the A frame - you can use a decent press to remove the joint. You have far more control using a press and you ( I ) usually loose far less blood.

Be carefull not to cut into the A frame too deeply.

Regards,

Peter.

Great idea! Going to try heat(bottle of FlameX, some stuff that is supposed to burn really hot I guess) and a 12 ton press on the 6.5" long bolts. Then I'll attack the ball joint.

 

[p m]

Careful with the press on the cross-bolts.

 

[fishEH]

Careful with the press on the cross-bolts.

Can you elaborate, please?

 

[p m]

I'd use press on the ball joint itself, but I am not sure if the rusted-in bolts aren't going to buckle before they move.
Were I in your spot, I'd get the center piece from some of the Southern/SW parts places, and just chop off the bolts (short of making a custom one with one mother of heim joints).

 

[fishEH]

Hmmmm. I guess I would still be left with trying to get the two arms separated from the center piece with the bolts running through them. One bolt head sheared off flush with the arm, and I would imagine the other wouldn't take too much more effort to shear off either. So with the bolt heads sheared off I don't see how the bolts could buckle inside the arms or center piece. ?????

 

[p m]

Maybe not - you have little to lose, anyhow.

 

[fishEH]

True. Found the part number for the center piece; ANR3037.
Its doubtful a new one would get here by the 17th though from the UK.

 

[jafir]

True. Found the part number for the center piece; ANR3037.
Its doubtful a new one would get here by the 17th though from the UK.

I've got an a-arm from a d1. The ball joint boot is trashed, but that part you've got listed might be ok. Do you want me to see if I can get it apart?

 

[fishEH]

I've got an a-arm from a d1. The ball joint boot is trashed, but that part you've got listed might be ok. Do you want me to see if I can get it apart?

That would be awesome!! I have a new ball joint and bushings ready to to in anyways. Thanks.

 

[jafir]

That would be awesome!! I have a new ball joint and bushings ready to to in anyways. Thanks.

Ok. I'll try to check it tonight.

 

[p m]

Actually, I may have the center part as well - need to look around.

 

[fishEH]

Actually, I may have the center part as well - need to look around.

Sweet. Let me know please. If mine is a no go I'll definitely need one.

 

[fishEH]

I got the tabs cut off the ball joint. Tomorrow I'll attempt to press out the old ball joint. Hoping also to torch it and work on the 6.5" bolts.

 

[fishEH]

Couple small victories!!!
Still may need that center piece so let me know if you guys have one, please.