33 replies to this topic

[tractor777]

I'm having trouble removing the front suspension arm as the pivot shaft is locked solid. I have removed the nuts and washers from both ends, plus removed the pressure plate from the front. I gather it has to knocked out from back to front but it is very difficult to get onto the back end shaft . Any ideas welcome.

[1984mini25]

Have you compressed the donut to take the load off from the suspension and also disconnected the top ball joint?

[tractor777]

Yes - I have compressed the donu, removed the trumpet and disconnect the ball joint. The arm is now really loose, but the pivot shaft is not budging. Gaining sufficient access to the end of shaft enabling me to bang it out with force is the issue. Seems like I will need to hacksaw the pivot as I have enough room between the sub frame and the upper suspension arm.

[danie garry]

had to do this the other day, i just cut the pin and away we go, a few mins of super fast bionic cutting with the junior hacksaw!

[Chance]

Try and lever the end of the shaft ( side nearest the floor) with something

I used the flat part of a spanner and it did me no harm, it shot out

[Doz1971]

I had this issue on Sunday. The lock washer was seized into the subframe - threw some heat at the subframe with a blow torch whilst levering with the flat end of a spanner against the toe board. Went with quite a bang!

Take some fire precautions!

[1984mini25]

You could try some sort of improvised puller with some sort of spacer, large washer and one of the nuts. Should pull/force it enough to free it and get it moving.

[tractor777]

_{Thanks all - really good ideas, some of which I have tried and others I will have a go tonight. Will keep you posted in developments. First time I have used the forum and it's great to know there is a lot of experience out there and a willingness to help. I hope I can help others too - when I have more experience}

[danie garry]

You could try some sort of improvised puller with some sort of spacer, large washer and one of the nuts. Should pull/force it enough to free it and get it moving.

you're lucky to get a pry bar in never mind a puller!

[1984mini25]

I did say an improvised puller. Maybe an old bearing as a spacer on the engine side of subframe, large washer and then the nut. So by tightening the nut it should pull the shaft out enough to get it started and free it.

Edited by 1984mini25, 29 August 2012 - 03:49 PM.

[smartie93]

I had this problem, the bearing had fused to the shaft, and the only way to get the top arm off was to cut it into pieces.

If the shaft doesn't come out easily then it hasn't been greased properly, and if it hasn't been greased chances are its corroded and seized, so the arm's probably scrap

Edited by smartie93, 29 August 2012 - 03:43 PM.

[1984mini25]

I had this problem, the bearing had fused to the shaft, and the only way to get the top arm off was to cut it into pieces.

If the shaft doesn't come out easily then it hasn't been greased properly, and if it hasn't been greased chances are its corroded and seized, so the arm's probably scrap

It's not that hard a job to hammer out the old bearings, press/pull in new ones a refit with a new shaft.

[smartie93]

I had this problem, the bearing had fused to the shaft, and the only way to get the top arm off was to cut it into pieces.

If the shaft doesn't come out easily then it hasn't been greased properly, and if it hasn't been greased chances are its corroded and seized, so the arm's probably scrap

It's not that hard a job to hammer out the old bearings, press/pull in new ones a refit with a new shaft.

I would have paid good money to see you "hammer" mine out. i suppose as long as you can get the bearings out without damaging the arm, its fine to use again.

[danie garry]

I had this problem, the bearing had fused to the shaft, and the only way to get the top arm off was to cut it into pieces.

If the shaft doesn't come out easily then it hasn't been greased properly, and if it hasn't been greased chances are its corroded and seized, so the arm's probably scrap

It's not that hard a job to hammer out the old bearings, press/pull in new ones a refit with a new shaft.

I would have paid good money to see you "hammer" mine out. i suppose as long as you can get the bearings out without damaging the arm, its fine to use again.

bigger hammer!

[1984mini25]

I had this problem, the bearing had fused to the shaft, and the only way to get the top arm off was to cut it into pieces.

If the shaft doesn't come out easily then it hasn't been greased properly, and if it hasn't been greased chances are its corroded and seized, so the arm's probably scrap

It's not that hard a job to hammer out the old bearings, press/pull in new ones a refit with a new shaft.

I would have paid good money to see you "hammer" mine out. i suppose as long as you can get the bearings out without damaging the arm, its fine to use again.

The way i've replaced them is to weld a nut inside the bearing. Then using either a slide hammer to pull the bearing out or a drif/punch/metal rod to hammer it out from the other side. Once the arm is cleaned up it just takes an m12 threaded rod, a few large washers and some nuts to pull the new bearings home.