90 A frame Balljoint...Best way to change..?

[Big G]

Yet another plea for help from you experienced Landy mechanics...

What`s the procedure for changing this ball joint.....am hearing one or two horror stories about it...........keep it simple cos I am just a keen DIY mechanic but I have access to a fair few tools.

Thanks for any help and advice..........

G

[Porny]

I've got a second set of bits/components...

So build up the second set of bits (doesn't matter if you have a few problems as LR still driveable!!)

Then swap at leisure.

Then rebuild the A-Frame set up you've taken off for the next time you have to do it...

 

The last A Frame ball joint I did took 'A LOT' of pressure.

If you were paying beer money and supplied the new A frame ball joint (use a genuine one, not naff britpart!!) and bushes I could build them into my spare A-frame - then all you've got is a nut and bolt job to change it.  Then give me your knackered set-up in exhange!!


Ian

[Big G]

Mr. Porney,

That is one heck of a decent offer, you are one of a dying breed. If I had imagined that there was going to be such a smashing offer of help I would have jumped at the offer.

I have however booked my mates four post lift and scrounged some time in his garage on Wednesday.

How do you get the old one out and the new one in.....?

[Porny]

How do you get the old one out and the new one in.....?

IMHO you might as well remove everything and change the bushes in the A frame too.

Old one, remove the A-frame ball joint from the axle - off the top of my head a split pin, and a 30 or 32mm open ended spanner (can't get a socket onto it)  So.. undo the nut and usually with a bit of jiggling (technical term!) and possably the use of a ball joint seperator (and a hammer  :twisted: ) - remove the tapered section of the ball joint from the axle.

Then undo the two large nuts and bolts holding the A frame to the chassis, and remove the complete A frame assembly from the LR.

On the bench undo the two bolts holding the ball joint into it's socket - and from the back give it a good clout with a hammer.  Hopefully with a good few smacks the ball joint will come out.  However... the devil is in the detail, and these can be absolute swine.

If you cut off the two ears (with a hacksaw) where the two small bolts were 'holding' the ball joint into it's socket - you can then put the socket and ball joint into a press.  (press from the back - you have to cut the two 'ears' off the ball joint or you will have no where to push against) - and hopefully it will come out (with a bang!!).

If not, there are a couple of other methods to get the old ball joint out.

Once this is done, remove the old bushes from the A frame arms and install the new ones.  And then fit the new ball joint.

Then simply reinstall onto the LR.  You may have to undo the two bolts that pass through the arms and the socket to get everything to line up correctly.  Personnally I'd also use all new bolts.

Torque everything up correctly, and away you go.


- this is only a basic guide, and a bit rushed (as should be filling an application form in) - so may have slight errors  :roll:


Ian

[clbarclay]

Three tricks

Open ended spanner? useually they are to tight for that and a ring end is needed (possibly with 2 combination spanners inkeed together).


If you don't have a ball joint splitter, but have a suitable long steel bar (crow bar etc.) and a big hammer is once the nut is slakened with about 3 turns of thread showing between the nut and the axle casing (but not removed) force the A frame and axle hosing apart with the long bar and HIT the side of the axle casing where the balljoint taper passes through it.
This deforms the taper sufficiently fot the bar to just pull the two apart. Just make sure you leave the nut on whalst you do it or it all comes flying apart and fingers will suffer.


If the old ball joint is very tight in its housing then leave it to soak for a day or more submerged in a bucket of diesel.

[muck_truck]

my old a frame ball joint wouldn't come out for love nor money..

in the end it was glowing red with heat and about 8 ton on the press before it went with a very big bang.

[Big G]

You chaps are sound............thanks for taking the time and trouble to give me your advice.

Having a go at it tomorrow.......will let you know how I get on....

G

[graham2306]

I got the ball joint on mine apart by putting the scissor jack out of the wife's micra in between the axle and the a frame.  Took some doing but the buzzer popped in the end.

Graham

[jaws]

a socket does fit on the nut,i sure thats what i used on mine.

as for seperating the a frame from the axle thats not difficult. i jacked the body up till the wheels where in the air than hit the axle casing not the ball joint with a hammer. out it pops.

if you've got the benifit of a pilar ramp just suport the rear of the chassis an lower the ramp down, fork trucks also help!  

[Coastcard]

As mentioned above, use a decent/genuine replacement. I bought a Paddocks special and the rubber has perished in 6 months and the vehicle hasn't even moved off my drive :x. FWIW, I also had the same problem with their anti roll bar links, so suspect it is the same manufacturer.

For a few extra quid, buy decent stuff, you don't want to be doing it again in 12 months time (or less).

[Big G]

Followed the advice and replaced the Bushes and bolts as well as the balljoint.

removed the A frame and cut the "ears" of the old balljoint and put the assembly in my mates press......

10 tonnes of pressure was needed before it popped out....!!


Glad I asked for the advice and once again thanks to all who replied with their help and tips.....spot on help

G