A frame upper ball joint fulcrum removal tips

[jvarnadoe]

I finally got the A frame wishbone removed, but I need tips on removing the fulcrum from the arms. I 've researched and it looks like I have to sawzall the bolts and use punches to hammer the remaining bits out. I bought a high articulation replacement already fitted into the mounting fulcrum bracket that includes new bolts, so I just need to separate the old fulcrum from the control arms. I liberally sprayed Blaster on the bolts and bushings hoping that will help a bit.

One of my neighbors has a 20 ton press so I'm also going to replace the control arm bushings.

The old upper ball joint was completely loose and rattling around. The rear axle should be a bit more secure after this replacement!

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[kris812]

Soak it for days, then Try to press out the old bolts first.. Then saw them to hell, and try to press them out again..

I changed just the ball to a Moog and seemed to have more articulation than the stock did. Looked like 30-45 degrees old was about 15 degrees +/-

 

[jvarnadoe]

After much hammerin' and cussin' and more hammerin' and a lot more cussin', I finally got the fulcrum bolts out of the fulcrum. They were rusted inside the fulcrum body.

Now to remove and replace those bushings in the arms...

 

[special ed]

I used a sawzall and cut the assembly through the bolts before. I have also stuck the ball joint under the 20ton press and still had to use the oxy acetaline torch to get her to start moving. They can be really stuck in there.

 

[p m]

Ha.
The bolts simply came out on all of my SoCal trucks, up to ~350kmi. Gotta love the climate.

 

[jvarnadoe]

I tried the neighbor's 20 ton press and the bushings didn't move. The top brace above the bottle jack was arching upward so I gave up.

A couple of local shops turned me away, so on a lark I dropped by a local Ferrari restoration place and, after my pleading, they said they'd do it for me for $100-150.

I should have all 4 arms back by tomorrow. I can also brag that my Rover has been worked on by a Ferrari mechanic.

I'm using anti-seize inside the sleeves on all the replacement bushings. I need new bolts, too. They were worn down by friction from the sleeves.

 

[jvarnadoe]

All done for a $100 and a bottle of Eagle Rare. I also forged a new relationship with an incredible group of people. I'm glad I stopped in there yesterday.

They said it took 26 tons of pressure to get the old bushings out. Sheesh!

 

[jvarnadoe]

Got it put back together and I'm back on the road. It's much tighter and a lot quieter now without that rattling from the loose upper ball joint.