11 replies to this topic

[antelopeslr5000]

Disassembling a LX front end today (which is f@#ked anyway, only dismantling to scrap it )

Managed to separate one lower control arm ball joint and while trying to separate the other lower control arm ball joint...




I guess that's what you get when you buy cheap crappy tools...

Not having a good run with the Torana atm. I've been searching for a LX RTS front end for about a year now but with no luck.

I recently bought one of eBay and the seller seemed like a genuine guy. Tells me it's a genuine LX RTS front end removed from a SL/R and in very good condition. So I take the day off work so I can get across to Brisbane to pick it up.

It's not until I get it home and start to clean it up that I notice the engine mounts don't seem aligned. On closer inspection, it looks like the engine mounts have been welded by Stevie Wonder.

I'm thinking it may have originally been a LX Sunbird cross member with Opel engine mounts and someone (Stevie Wonder) has removed them and attempted to weld on a set of 6 cylinder/V8 mounts.

It's frustrating... searching for over a year for a part... Having one of those days where I wonder if it's all worth it.

[76lxhatch]

A lot easier and faster to separate joints with a big hammer to the side of the stub axle.

Sounds like you're having a good run!

[ls2lxhatch]

I prefer to use the tool above for separating ball joints, usually that tool and a couple of taps with the hammer on the top do the job.

I have been looking for a pair of lower control arms for the last couple of months. So far I have seen three pairs of lower control arms that have been butchered by some clown with a hammer removing the ball joint. I have also seen a few stub axles that have come off second best to the hammer.

[antelopeslr5000]

So far I have seen three pairs of lower control arms that have been butchered by some clown with a hammer removing the ball joint. I have also seen a few stub axles that have come off second best to the hammer.

^ Exactly. That's why I use the proper tool or if I use a hammer on suspension components, it's a dead blow hammer.

[GML-31]

I am sure I have a LX RTS front end mate, by memory it came off a 77 SL i wrecked

[76lxhatch]

darrenmark1 that tool is only good for 'forking' everything it touches! And people who damage control arms using hammers must have extremely bad hand to eye co-ordination... ah well, it takes all sorts

[antelopeslr5000]

And people who damage control arms using hammers must have extremely bad hand to eye co-ordination... ah well, it takes all sorts

I would be one of those people!

Just call me "lightning"... never strikes the same place twice!

[wot179]

Instead of a dead blow hammer,or a regular steel hammer,try and get your hands on a nice old 2 pound copper/rawhide THOR brand hammer.

Put the car on jackstands.

Bsck off the nut on both top and bottom balljoints(but dont take them off)

Bash christ out of the stub axle next to the ball joint,parallel with the ground.Do not hit the ball joint.

you will se the ball joint separate.

If it doesn't,have a bit of a go,and hit it harder.

Repeat at other end of stub axle

Put a jack under the stub axel,jack it up

undo the nuts on the ball joints

let down the jack slowly and it will all fall apart magicly before your eyes.

Put bandaids on knuckles

Repeat on the other side.

[rodomo]

darrenmark1 that tool is only good for 'forking' everything it touches! And people who damage control arms using hammers must have extremely bad hand to eye co-ordination... ah well, it takes all sorts

And it will root your boots

[76lxhatch]

Bash christ out of the stub axle

Rough! One sharp rap with a decent hammer is all it takes, no damage, no fuss. A dead blow hammer is not suitable for this task either for obvious reasons.