Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: NY4x4 on September 24, 2007, 19:42:55

Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: NY4x4 on September 24, 2007, 19:42:55: Can I remove the A-frame from the rear axle, I want to fit Polybushes and new balljoint. Question is, can I do this 'safely :wink: ' with the Disco on the ground, or will the axle just flip over without it ???

Thanks.
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: Disco-Ron on September 24, 2007, 20:10:33: If it was me, i'd jack it up and put axle stands under the chassis before i removed the A frame...... apparently you'll struggle doing the ball joint aswell... a right pain apparently!!
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: clbarclay on September 24, 2007, 22:43:31: If in doubt with the ball joint get a bigger hammer :twisted: My usual method for tapered items like ball joints and track rod ends is to force the tapper apart with a long bar (between A frame and axle) and then WHACK the side of casing next to the tapper and the 2 should just spring apart.
Important safety notice, before using mentioned method loosen the nut but don't remove it, instead leaving it no a couple of turns. Otherwise the whole lot comes flying apart.

I've not tried the screw type ball joint splitters, but in my experience the ones that are a fork which you hammer in to force the tapper apart are worthless.

Make sure the hand brakes applied/difflock engaged/in first gear etc. and the front wheels chocked first. Once like this and with axle stands on the rear of the chassis, the rear axle should not be able to rotate any significant amount whilst the rear tyres are on the ground.
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: NY4x4 on September 25, 2007, 07:03:27: Quote from: "clbarclay"
If in doubt with the ball joint get a bigger hammer :twisted: My usual method for tapered items like ball joints and track rod ends is to force the tapper apart with a long bar

Problem now is nut is turning, but taper has come out, so the whole lot is turning.. :cry:
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: Richie_EB4 on September 25, 2007, 07:44:08: Quote from: "NY4x4"
Quote from: "clbarclay"
If in doubt with the ball joint get a bigger hammer :twisted: My usual method for tapered items like ball joints and track rod ends is to force the tapper apart with a long bar

Problem now is nut is turning, but taper has come out, so the whole lot is turning.. :cry:

If your stuck mate give me a shout http://www.4x4lrs.com
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: hobbit on September 25, 2007, 16:14:47: Try jacking the axle back up into the unit to apply pressure to the joint, it may hold it tight enough to undo the nut

Or put a bottle jack onto the a frame with a wood packer and push the frame down onto the axle that way
Title: A - frame, Rear axle.
Post by: clbarclay on September 25, 2007, 18:16:22: Has the tapper been loose for a while? If so then there is a risk that the tapers have been damaged and a new ball joint will no locate properly. I ended up building up and reaming a new taper in a tractor steering the other day for the above reason :evil:

If you can't force the taper to grip by forcing the ball joint down then consider what destructive means you have of removing the nut as both the nut and ball joint will need replacing anyway. A good chisel (or nut splitter) is inexpensive and can be used to crack the half.