Steering drop arm ball joint

[Lafia]

Hi All

Have been replacing the sloppy worn out ball joint in my 97 130. Doing it the hard way in situ as I can't get the drop arm off the steering box. The last bit to get out is the top cup which is resisting all efforts to get it to budge so far. Anyone got any bright ideas?
From what I've read it can be harder to get the drop arm off than the top cup, so interested what your suggestions might be.
Cheers

[camel_landy]

I had to do this on mine last year and 'by-eck', it was a sod of a job!!!

The drop arm wouldn't shift, even with a specialist hydraulic puller, then the special tool wouldn't shift the cup as it had worn away too much!!!

In the end, we cut the cup with a small grinder, just enough to loosen it so that it would pop out.

M

[460cixy]

I got rid of mine and put a letter model disco arm and drag link on much bettererrrr

[ted44]

Hi, is the cup warn if not don't replace it just check its smooth and in good condition and put all the new stuff in to it. at least this is what I did. all good for me!

[Lafia]

I had to do this on mine last year and 'by-eck', it was a sod of a job!!!

The drop arm wouldn't shift, even with a specialist hydraulic puller, then the special tool wouldn't shift the cup as it had worn away too much!!!

In the end, we cut the cup with a small grinder, just enough to loosen it so that it would pop out.

M

A sod of a job seems a fairly mild description at this stage! OK thanks for that info. I guess I'll try the angle grinder option now. Makes you appreciate the easier jobs though!
Cheers

[Lafia]

Hi, is the cup warn if not don't replace it just check its smooth and in good condition and put all the new stuff in to it. at least this is what I did. all good for me!

OK I hadn't thought of that option. I'll have a closer inspection after the sun's up but I feel that it might be that it might be too worn already (or I have done damage already!)
Cheers

[Blknight.aus]

line the hole with grease, make sure the cup is clean. put a good blob of weld up there and as the weld deposit contracts it will pull the edge of the cup in and it will fall out. welll alomst

[Lafia]

line the hole with grease, make sure the cup is clean. put a good blob of weld up there and as the weld deposit contracts it will pull the edge of the cup in and it will fall out. welll alomst

That sounds like a cunning plan. Many thanks for that. I'll report back when I get it sorted!
Cheers