A-arm removal problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
A-arm removal problems
Made some kick-butt progress on the frame strip but then got stoned cold at the point of removing the a-arms from the frame. As you can see in this picture:
I got one of the "rental" spring compressors from Autozone and torqued down on it to get it compressed about 2 inches. I banged my brains out with my pickle fork on the upper and lower ball joints and could not get the crazy thing to budge loose. What am I missing to get these things separated and the a-arms removed?
I got one of the "rental" spring compressors from Autozone and torqued down on it to get it compressed about 2 inches. I banged my brains out with my pickle fork on the upper and lower ball joints and could not get the crazy thing to budge loose. What am I missing to get these things separated and the a-arms removed?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Can't see the pix, but I just did this on my car. You need to pop the upper ball joint, that will free the spring. You can use a pickle fork, or the easier way is a separator that hooks around the mount and presses up on the ball joint. Autozone should have one (like a tie rod separator only bigger). You can make one using a big nut and bolt and appropriate sized deep socket. There is a picture of this in the book "How to restore and modify 68-82 Corvettes". Make sure the lower A arm is supported or the spring is compressed before you remove the ball joint stud nut all the way, could be a nasty surprize. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 2
From: Barrie
I just removed my A-arms and the pickle fork was to long for the upper ball joint, it was hitting the frame behind it. A little grinding and all was good. I haven’t removed the lower ball joints yet. I also Have the FE7 sport suspension and did not need the spring compressor.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Here's a thread with the Lars method I used:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ars+suspension
No spring compressors and you use the force of the spring to help you with loosening the upper ball joint. The biggest problem you may have is not enough weight since the body is off so the front end will want to rise off the jackstands when you compress the spring with the floor jack. I think you're resourceful enough to figure something out there. This is one job where assembly is far easier than disassembly. Just be careful.
EDIT: I see you're engine is out too. A homemade threaded rod with washers like some have done here may be your best bet to get the springs compressed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ars+suspension
No spring compressors and you use the force of the spring to help you with loosening the upper ball joint. The biggest problem you may have is not enough weight since the body is off so the front end will want to rise off the jackstands when you compress the spring with the floor jack. I think you're resourceful enough to figure something out there. This is one job where assembly is far easier than disassembly. Just be careful.
EDIT: I see you're engine is out too. A homemade threaded rod with washers like some have done here may be your best bet to get the springs compressed.
Last edited by jdmick; Mar 20, 2005 at 11:58 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 2
From: Olney MD
You don't need a pickle fork to separate the joint from the spindle. Just use a BFH and whale on the spindle area where the bj stud passes through. (you will not damage the spindle using this method)Loosen the nut but leave it threaded enough so the spring doesn't come flying out. Once the upper and lowers are separated, use a jack under the lower control arm and take the pressure off the lower joint. Than remove the nuts and slowly release the jack. A spring compressor is not necessary for this but makes it easier to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I didn't need a spring compressor. I put a floor jack just under the lower a-arm, loosened the nut on the top ball joint then hit it with a 10lb maul at the flat spot on the spindle where the ball joint goes through. Then it drops down. Remove the nut, lower the jack pop the spring out. You'll need a ball joint seperator to remove the lower ball joint, but it can be done on a bench now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by 1FUNVET
Once the upper and lowers are separated, use a jack under the lower control arm and take the pressure off the lower joint. Than remove the nuts and slowly release the jack. A spring compressor is not necessary for this but makes it easier to do.
This usually works fine - however you need the body's and engine's weight on the frame to do this....
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Thanks everyone. The placing the nut partially on the upper ball joint and then the BFH did the trick. Two bangs and it popped, no problemo. Now I've got my frame bare as a baby's butt and working on the de-grease. If the weather holds out then I'll sand blast and prime the frame tomorrow and paint it soon after. Finally I'm at the bottom of this pit I dug for myself and now on the positive progress track of restoring and rebuilding.