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Removing a-arm trouble
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Posted by: FoxHondaRider

I am having trouble removing my lower left a-arm. I have the cotter pin out and the nut off but it wont budge. The threaded part connected to the knuckles will just not move. What do i do? It doesnt screw out does it? I tried hitting it with a hammer and a punch and a hammer and still not a budge. Someone help me out here. How does this come out?

Posted by: Ruby Soho

mine were kind of stuck, i had my friend hold the hub and i wacked the arm with a rubber mallet a few times and it popped out

Posted by: BigBore24

you need a pickle fork. if you dont have one you can just hit on the actual nuckle with a hammer. spray some wd40 in there and hit on all sides. it will eventually pop out. be careful not to hit too hard the knuckle isnt real tough to bend. hitting on the stud itself generally will do you no good

Posted by: FoxHondaRider

I tried te hitting the a-arm and hitting the knuckle. Man this thing really wont budge! I try spraying some degreaser and just that breaks bolts free but still! Any other suggestions?

Posted by: 400ex28

Best bet is to use a pickle fork.

Posted by: Honda#4

What I did was take both A-arms off with the spindle and hit them with a punch, they came off in 2 punches. The arms are finger pinchers sometimes so be awear.

Posted by: FoxHondaRider

quote:
Originally posted by 400ex28
Best bet is to use a pickle fork.

is there a tool shaped like a pickle fork? or an actualy pickle fork to pry it or something? My neighbors are coming over to look at it tomorrow. They know so much about engines and everything else because the father owns a stock car that his son races in NASCAR. and A-arms are also on cars so he should be able to shoot me in the right direction.

Posted by: BigBore24

you could proly get a small pickle fork to fit that tiny ball joint at any parts store. proly like 10 bucks or less. it would be handy to have for future.

Posted by: FoxHondaRider

what exactly does it do?

Posted by: JOEX

You will want to be very careful using a pickle fork. They can damage the ball joint boots.

Here's what you do:

Posted by: JOEX

Or this...

Then turn the nut(s) against the socket. It shouold just pop out. You may need to give the spindle decent whack.

Posted by: FoxHondaRider

so... i need to remove the top too?

Posted by: JOEX

quote:
Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
so... i need to remove the top too?

Not necessarily. Just leave that nut in place and use a socket that will fit in between. Or add another nut to the upper one.

Posted by: TRXRacer1

A+ advice JOEX! I love simple and smart ideas. I'll be keeping that one in my bag of tricks now...

Posted by: bdtoady22

yep me too after i already tore one of mine

Posted by: JOEX

quote:
Originally posted by TRXRacer1
A+ advice JOEX! I love simple and smart ideas. I'll be keeping that one in my bag of tricks now...

Wasn't an original idea of mine, something similar was posted here years ago

I think Motion Pro sells an actual 'tool' but this works fine and one less item in the tool box

Posted by: Brauap

Sorry to "hijack" the thread, but what are the things that are inside the a-arms, where they bolt up to your frame? Arn't they a-arm bushings? Also, how do you know if they are bad? I think one of mine are bad.

Posted by: NacsMXer

X2 JOEX, here is my contraption, works perfect

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4617/dsc00144wo5.jpg

quote:
Originally posted by Brauap
Sorry to "hijack" the thread, but what are the things that are inside the a-arms, where they bolt up to your frame? Arn't they a-arm bushings? Also, how do you know if they are bad? I think one of mine are bad.

Yes they are bushings. You would have to take them apart to see if they need to be cleaned/lubed or replaced.

Posted by: glamiskid395

this might help

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision...showtopic=78719

thats how i do mine, works good