Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ScienceGuy · 02-02-2006, 01:47 PM

Greetings to all. I'm having a hard time removing the cross shafts off my lower A-arms. It looks like a large nut at the ends of the cross shafts but i'm not sure if they are pressed in. Can anyone clarify this for me?

tphsmith · 02-02-2006, 02:01 PM

mine were threaded on, fine thread,

bighead · 02-02-2006, 02:13 PM

I think the tops are 1 3/8" and the bottom are 1 5/8". Threaded on, pretty tough to remove as I remember.

BubbaGreen · 02-02-2006, 02:25 PM

look at the nuts very closely....i have ran across a few that the nuts were tack welded. But even if they werent, they can be a bear to remove...a good 6-pt socket and a 3/4" ratched and/or breaker bar is good to use.

68haywagon · 02-02-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bighead

I think the tops are 1 3/8" and the bottom are 1 5/8". Threaded on, pretty tough to remove as I remember.

Correct sizes. I just did this...an impact gun helped alot. My compressor had to recharge itself after each one. They were extremely tough to get off. PB Blaster for an overnight soak, then impact away and they come off. I tried by hand before the air, but I couldn't do it.

Mike

Pitts1e · 02-02-2006, 05:16 PM

The only way that I could get mine to budge was to heat them up with a torch. I did not have the large socket size so I just clamped the shaft in a large vice and actually used a pipe wrech with the handle off my car jack for extra leverage. It was still all I could do to get them to break free even with the heat! Be prepared to replace the seals if you use heat and have a fire extinguisher nearby as well for the grease will catch fire. It was a bit crude but worked and didn't harm the nuts.

Tynee · 02-02-2006, 06:57 PM

I've heard scary stories with heating suspension parts, not saying its wrong, just what I've heard.

I went and bought the 3/4" drive Breaker bar and used the cheater pipe and let 'er rip. They came off for me without too much grunt, but that could have something to do with the fact that I go about 6'5" and 350 lbs. Things just don't seem as hard to me as they do to some others. lol

The lower Ball-joints are what I was never able to get out. They're pressed in, and I could never get enough "pepper" on them with the Sledge hammer to get them out. The press that AutoZone lonaed me wasn't big enough.

ScienceGuy · 02-03-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tynee

I've heard scary stories with heating suspension parts, not saying its wrong, just what I've heard.

I went and bought the 3/4" drive Breaker bar and used the cheater pipe and let 'er rip. They came off for me without too much grunt, but that could have something to do with the fact that I go about 6'5" and 350 lbs. Things just don't seem as hard to me as they do to some others. lol

The lower Ball-joints are what I was never able to get out. They're pressed in, and I could never get enough "pepper" on them with the Sledge hammer to get them out. The press that AutoZone lonaed me wasn't big enough.

I had to cut out the lower ball joints using an angle grinder with a cutting wheel. the new ball joints had bolts on them. Hope they hold up.

**53burb** · 02-04-2006, 02:39 AM

The upper replacement balljoints typically have bolts in them that replace the rivets. The lower replacement balljoints are still a press fit with no bolts. It sounds like you have them backwards or reversed.

bigjimzlll · 02-04-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tynee

The lower Ball-joints are what I was never able to get out. They're pressed in, and I could never get enough "pepper" on them with the Sledge hammer to get them out. The press that AutoZone lonaed me wasn't big enough.

Just did mine...a torch works wonders

Tynee · 02-06-2006, 10:19 PM

Yeah, I don't own a torch, yet.

02-02-2006, 01:47 PM	#1
ScienceGuy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: N. California Posts: 35	Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. Greetings to all. I'm having a hard time removing the cross shafts off my lower A-arms. It looks like a large nut at the ends of the cross shafts but i'm not sure if they are pressed in. Can anyone clarify this for me? __________________ 72 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe 03 Camary (Family Ride) 96 Jetta (piece of sh**)

02-02-2006, 02:01 PM	#2
tphsmith still buypickupparts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: charlotte Posts: 637	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. mine were threaded on, fine thread, __________________ Its Gonna be a Great Day, I woke up this Morning. 72 SWB Fleetside freshly painted. putting a 94 LT1 with 700R4 tranny lowered 4 in the front 6 in the back 81 chevy half ton 350 89 Silverado 4x4 going ta church truck

02-02-2006, 02:13 PM	#3
bighead Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 465	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. I think the tops are 1 3/8" and the bottom are 1 5/8". Threaded on, pretty tough to remove as I remember.

02-02-2006, 02:25 PM	#4
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. look at the nuts very closely....i have ran across a few that the nuts were tack welded. But even if they werent, they can be a bear to remove...a good 6-pt socket and a 3/4" ratched and/or breaker bar is good to use. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich

02-02-2006, 05:16 PM	#6
Pitts1e Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 11	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. The only way that I could get mine to budge was to heat them up with a torch. I did not have the large socket size so I just clamped the shaft in a large vice and actually used a pipe wrech with the handle off my car jack for extra leverage. It was still all I could do to get them to break free even with the heat! Be prepared to replace the seals if you use heat and have a fire extinguisher nearby as well for the grease will catch fire. It was a bit crude but worked and didn't harm the nuts.

02-02-2006, 06:57 PM	#7
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. I've heard scary stories with heating suspension parts, not saying its wrong, just what I've heard. I went and bought the 3/4" drive Breaker bar and used the cheater pipe and let 'er rip. They came off for me without too much grunt, but that could have something to do with the fact that I go about 6'5" and 350 lbs. Things just don't seem as hard to me as they do to some others. lol The lower Ball-joints are what I was never able to get out. They're pressed in, and I could never get enough "pepper" on them with the Sledge hammer to get them out. The press that AutoZone lonaed me wasn't big enough. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

02-04-2006, 02:39 AM	#9
53burb Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,007	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. The upper replacement balljoints typically have bolts in them that replace the rivets. The lower replacement balljoints are still a press fit with no bolts. It sounds like you have them backwards or reversed.

02-06-2006, 10:19 PM	#11
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	Re: Removing cross shafts off lower A-arms. Yeah, I don't own a torch, yet. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

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