AHHHHH Had enough of Defender A Frame Ball Joint.

[CraigE]

Well I have officially had enough of the Defender A Frame Joint. Started yesterday, thought yep allow half a day. Well after eventually getting it out thought OK, a few hours and it should be done. Oh how wrong I was. Took about 2hrs just to get the unit out. After 4hrs trying just to get the tappered end out eventually succeeded with that bit after putting it in the freezer for 2 hrs. The ball joint end was to be worse. After cutting off the wings, thought it would punch out ok. Nope, did not even move a mm. So soaked it in CRC to try and help. Well no. Tried heating and freezing no luck. So went and bout a 12 tonne press today and it has not even moved it a mm. Ready to go get a box of matches.:mad: Should not be this hard.

[Blknight.aus]

thats why I put them in the 100t press to start with....

try putting it in the oven at about 300degrees for half an hour or so. then hit it with the 12t press, you might get lucky.

If that doesnt shift it while its still roasting hot drop it into a steel container full of diesel after you reheat it (do that outside in a nice clear area) then press it again

if that doesnt work hit it with brake clean, blow it dry and then give it the love with the gas axe.

[long stroke]

We removed ours with a sledge hammer and afew blocks of wood:eek:

[Waxenwane]

I'm amazed that you are having that much trouble, I have done a few and they have always come out with a couple of well aimed hammer blows.
The reason I use a hammer is because of work with other suspension components in the past, it used to be quite common for some ball joints (Fords particularly and some early Holden gear) to be unmovable in the press and only able to be belted out with a hammer. I would suggest it is the concussion that does the work.

[roverv8]

delete

[PAT303]

Craig,is there a pedders or similar shop in town?,cut the wings off and get them to press it out and the new one back in,it cost me $30 last time.If it makes you feel any better repairing vehicles-plant machines is a looong road of frustration. Pat

[CraigE]

Thanks all.
Finally got it out. Once out was only 3/4hr to get it all back together and on the road. About 1/4hr of that was pressing it back in properly.
Took some doing and probablly a bit of a no no with the press, that involved pressure and 2 hammers.:o
No clunk in the rear finally, but a real PIA to get there.:D

[PAT303]

Craig,you did anti-sieze it didn't you?. Pat

[CraigE]

Craig,you did anti-sieze it didn't you?. Pat
Yep.:D