I need some help here. The other night on the way to work I hit a raccoon and slid off into a ditch, effectively bending the passenger side rear A frame (I am only assuming that's what it's called because it's an A shaped piece of metal that bolts the wheel to the frame).
Anyway, I found a replacement part, BUT I can't get it off of the damn car. All the bolts have been removed and the nut that connects it to the bottom of the wheel is off, but it just won't fall off the bottom of the wheel. It's completely loose and will pivot around on the bearing, but the damn thing won't come off. Is it possible that it's just rusted up? I need to know asap if anyone has had a similar situation like this or anyone that can help at all!
A Frame Delima :( :(
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Hijacker
- Posts: 14373
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2003 4:57 am
- Car: '92 240sx Convertible
'94 F-150 - Location: Fredericksburg, VA
I assume you're talking about the lower control arm. It's probably just stuck in there. 100,000+ miles of dirt and grime can do that. Take a deadblow hammer and try to pound it out. For some extra assurance, take some PB blaster and spray the areas that are stuck.
It could be that because the part is bent, that it's bound somewhere and needs a bit of friendly persuasion to get off
It could be that because the part is bent, that it's bound somewhere and needs a bit of friendly persuasion to get off
I just replaced my lower control arm. Thats what you have that is bent. Anyways Mine did not want to come off the ball joint either.... Some good hard hammer pounding and that did it. I wish you the best of luck because they are seriously a pain to get off. Putting them on is soo much easier and faster.
yeah it's all on piece, the problem is it's being a pain about coming off the bottom of the wheel. everything else was easy, should I reconnect the top two bushings before I try to get the ball joint off of the wheel? It's driving crazy here. I ordered a new arm that's gonna be here in 2 days from nissan so i've gotta get it off like now. Is there any secrets any of you have used? How did you get access to the joint to beat it with a hammer? I can't get it far enough away from the drive shaft to put any pressure on it.
it's called a pickle fork. Cram it between the knuckle and the lower arm and push down on the fork. For more leverage, get a long pipe, it'll pop right off. If you've got trouble getting it in there in the first place, use a rubber mallet. Also I'm assuming you've pulled the cotter pin and castle nut at the top of that ball joint?