Removing arms from front sub frame
 

I have my front sub frame sitting on the floor and have decided to buy a new one.

Do you think I should refit the old sub frame, lower car onto the centre ball joint to get the arm off or turn the sub frame over and hit ball joint with sledge hammer?

any other proven methods to consider

Feeling stressed

macafee2

Are you intending to re-use the front arm?

If so, don't sledge it. It'll wreck the threads, even if you leave a sacrificial nut on them.

If not, why not leave it attached and just chuck it all out?

Mick

yes was intending to reuse the arms

macafee2

Ian, wind the nut level with the top of the threads, and a sharp tap with a lump hammer using a piece of scrap wood to prevent damage to the ball pin will free the centre ball joint easily, much easier than doing the job on the car ;)

I've just ordered a new TRW arm for the ZT, and will be doing it the hard way.

Out of interest, what is wrong with your subframe? the front one is normally very resilient to corrosion, and it is quite therapeutic to spend time refurbishing them.

Brian :D

rusty in the hard to get at places and I don't think I have the patience to
spend time trying to clean off these difficult spaces.
I'm wondering if I could take it somewhere for them to dip and de-paint and de-rust and then I paint. This will give me a sub frame for my other car and it will just be a change over job.

I'm happy spending time on things I think I can do a good job on and when the car goes back together I do want a good job.

I did hum and arreeee about buying the new sub frame.
I'm tempted to buy a rear for the same reason.

macafee2

Arms off, came off a lot easier then expected
sub frame comes Thursday next week

macafee2

As we both know;)