Tibout Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Hi guys I'm going to replace the A frame ball joint soon. I know it could be a pain to do! So what I was planning is to remove the frame together with the balljoint and bring it to the garage to get the old one out and press the new one. But before even doing that I just want to know if it's hard to remove the frame itself or if there's an easier way? Kind regards thierry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam300Tdi90 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Nah the frame itself is very simple to remove... It's just the ball joint you might have a problem with. Even with a press it took me quite a few tries on a few different days, with a good soaking of WD40!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scube Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Easer to remove the Ball joint unit (Two bolts + the ball joint from the axle) and not the "A" Frame.. That is a night mare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam300Tdi90 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Frames easy but yeh it is un-necessary. The two bolts which go through the Ball joint unit might complain about being removed though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibout Posted November 10, 2010 Author Share Posted November 10, 2010 so what do you suggest? i've access to a press at a welder but will have to get the frame off to bring it there or will it be easier to just get a garage to do the job but i know they will charge me a fortune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 To release the ball joint from the axle, support the vehicle under the chassis with axle stands, remove both road wheels and all the weight of the axle to hang from the ball joint. Remove the nut from the ball joint except the last couple of threads and set at it with a large hammer and suitable drift, this will crack the joint eventually. You don't HAVE to leave the nut on, it will just catch the axle if it tried to fall unexpectedly. Try not to damage the threads on teh joint, though if you have the nut far enough off you shouldn't. The A-frame disassembles into three parts, the central part is what the ball joint is fitted into, it is held to the other two bits by two long bolts, remove these rather than the entire A-frame from the chassis mounts as they can be a pig to get to and undo. they are also 30mm so unless you have the right spanner/socket...... Now remove the large nut completely whilst supporting the axle from rolling over (it probably won't go anywhere TBH) and remove the central part of the A-frame, take this to the press. Undo the two small bolts holding the joint in, press out old, press in new and refit to the axle. Please make sure when lowering the axle that brake lines do not get strained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoor_ian Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I've done the A frame ball joint on my 90 in the last few weeks and had the mother of all battles just to get the ball joint from the axle, I ended up with the back wheels off the ground and a scaffold tube between the axle and A frame arms which did the trick!!! On the up side the 2 long bolts that go through the A frame housing came out very easily. I took the A frame arms off as well as I replaced the bushes in them and gave the arms a clean up and paint while I was at it. First blood was drawn however when removing said A frame arms as I used a rattle gun to get the 30mm bolts out that hold the arms in place, the socket and extension bar fell off the gun on to my nose/temple (laying under it) which pushed the saftey spec's into the bridge splitting it open and bleeding instantly. On the up side I didnt get anything in my eyes other than blood! I used the A frame ball joint that Gwyn Lewis sells as its already pressed into a housing meaning its more of a swap over job or could be if you only did that part. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 When you press in the new one, make sure it lines up exactly or the retaining bolts won't fit..... ask me how I know!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poohbear Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I drove my truck into work and parked up - put the hand brake on and chocked the wheels, then just belted the ball joint until it released from the axle - remember to leave the castle nut on a couple of turns (inverted of course!)or it'll give you a shock when the a frame shoots up and knocks all the carp off the tub into your face! Then just remove the ball joint carrier from the a-frame 'arms', pop it into the garage round the corner - collect at lunch time and refit. All for done for the grand total of £10 to the garage and a wet arse (it was raining before the sarcastic replies arrive!) Job done. Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibout Posted November 10, 2010 Author Share Posted November 10, 2010 thanks for all the help guys i'm going to tackle that during the week-end hopefully there won't be blood involve i've had it before and left me with a black eye for a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disty Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I had to get a new a-frame (new to me) from a scrappy as the one on my vehicle point blank refused to come off. The axle side was OK but it was the chassis side that caused me problems. As long as your bolts are ok you should be able to get it out. I'd guess that you'd struggle to get the joint out under the vehicle, but I may be wrong. The guys who put a new one in mine made a bit of a muck up of it and so the rubber gaitor is ripped a tad Probably the worst 2 weeks of my rebuild, that flipping a frame! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam300Tdi90 Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Probably the worst 2 weeks of my rebuild, that flipping a frame! Here here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iomlt Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Or you might be lucky.... the last two i have done i have knocked out with a lump hammer. A great way to A. keep warm when its cold out in the garage. B a great way to release fustration / angar etc..... getting back in can take some doing with a hammar so a press would be way.... Always think the worse and hopefully it wont be that bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibout Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 i always think the worse with my landy but i love it. hopefully i'll be ok tackling the job this w-end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy4x4xfar Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 also maybe bit more of advise . id have another new 2 of the 2 bolts and nuts that hold the ball joint assembly to the frame just in case they can sometimes need renewing when taken out as mine did and i hadnt got em before i started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbs Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Thierry, Don't forget when you're putting it all back together Copper slip all of the nut and bolts to make it easier to remove the next time round John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibout Posted November 14, 2010 Author Share Posted November 14, 2010 good call john i will was planning to do it this w-end but weather did'nt permit so i'm hoping to get it done during the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbs Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Thierry, Good luck mate John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibout Posted November 15, 2010 Author Share Posted November 15, 2010 Thanks John I know it could be really hard to tackle but it will give me so much satisfaction if I manage to get it done. I didn't know nothing about land rover 8 months ago and now with your help guys I've learned so much. Did my first conversion, all brakes system, shocks, electrics cv joint etc. So a big thank you kind regards thierry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briarston Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 If you can loosen the ball joint nut with the vehicle standing on it's wheels, put some weight under the A frame with a jack, then hit the housing. Nothing heavy to fall on you this way, than if you get carried away with the big levers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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