11 replies to this topic

[Brit in RacingGreen]

Ok, so I'm replacing the front suspension bits with stock standard.  I have now got to the point where (after much beeping and bleeding), that top arm is out of the car.  The problem I have now is that the nylon cup and knuckle joint (and the trumpet, which is not so bad as it's giving me leverage) are still attached to the arm. Any recommends on how to get them out of the arm so that I can replace with new?  The nylon cup was already toast and the existing grease is like cement paste, so I can't really put it back without renewing the cup and the knuckle.

 

I eagerly await your replies, and will put the kettle on.

 

Thanks all, 

G.

[Dusky]

Fire. Burn/melt the knuckle cup

[Brit in RacingGreen]

I like that idea...it's already crossed my mind to torch the whole feckin' car on a few occasions.  I've got a heat gun, I'll try that.

 

Thanks. 

[Brit in RacingGreen]

Ok, all sorted.  

 

Everything is apart...in the experience of others, is there a sequence of putting things back together again?  I know on the rears I got stuck by putting things together in the wrong sequence, and it was a royal PITA to take them apart again.

Edited by Brit in RacingGreen, 24 August 2017 - 04:39 AM.

[Rorf]

I trust you are using the cone removal tool for the front suspension?

[Brit in RacingGreen]

Yup, I've got the new cone compressed.  I'm winding the tool, then leaving it for a little while and coming back to it to wind some more.  It feels very, very tight...i'm just waiting for the bang as the thread gives out :)  I just don't want to put the knuckle into the arm or the trumpet only to find out that it won't fit together.  The hole in the trumpet is very tight, and if I insert the knuckle, I'll never get it out without completely munting it.  Just wondered if there was a sequence, or whether I just need to keep winding the cone.

[nicklouse]

trying to understand the issues you are having.

 

read the manual use the right tools and bish bash bosh it is done the only "fun" bit I remember is reseating the rubber boot.

 

the only time I would be concerned about the treads is when removing the old cones as the threads my be damaged. in the new ones just ram on. (some lube on the twisty bit helps).

[Dusky]

Top arm pin out, insert cone, compress cone a bit, trumpet+knuckle+nylon cup in the top arm, slide toparm upwards and wiggle the top arm pin in and you're Done.
Alternatively you Just put the nylon cup in, install top arm , then push(lever) the trumpet in place and reseat the rubber boot with a small screwdriver

[Brit in RacingGreen]

Ok, I'll just close my eyes and keep winding 

[sonikk4]

Don't go mad mental winding on the tool. It does not need much to be honest. Keep doing a turn until you can slip everything in.    

[tiger99]

Did you check the seating in the arm, where the knuckle joint cup fits? If the knuckle was badly worn, as indicated by it not coming apart easily, there may be damage, which is best found now rather than later.

 

I strongly suggest changing knuckles every 40k miles of normal driving, if they are of good quality, i.e. genuine or Delphi, as they are very cheap in comparison to ruined arms.

 

If the seating is SLIGHTLY damaged, i.e. bearing the imprint of the ball but not over anything like the full diameter, the arm can usually be reclaimed by packing the space under the knuckle cup with epoxy to give proper support to the cup, so that the nylon does not collapse. But if it has gone deep, the arm MUST be replaced as the knuckle joint is at the point of maximum bending load and you really do not want a fatigue fracture in a top arm at speed.

[Brit in RacingGreen]

You're right about the knuckle seating...it looks nothing like a new one.  I believe that the suspension is untouched from new, so replacing the 40 year old arms is not such a bad idea.  I'm sure it'll make a huge difference to how the little car handles.