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[platty]

I don't mean to hijack your thread - but I have had an attempt at replacing my idler arm without success  

Even with a massive amount of leverage and thrashing - it just would not move, the next step is either the acetylene or the grinder. Has anyone resorted to these measure before and is there anything i'm likely to knacker in the process?

TIA Platty  

[Grimble]

Hi platty

I was getting nowhere with trying to separate the ball-joint until I followed DonaldMcBurger's maintenance guide at this link:
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1158598664/0#0
with a slight modification to the leverage issue.

A scissor jack between the chassis member (running from front to back above the idler arm) and the point where the steering centre rod (rack) joins the steering arm (track rod) can apply far more pressure than a lever - and you have both hands free.

Once in place, wind open the jack between 1 & 2 inches and then hit the underside of the idler arm at the ball-joint end with a heavyish steel hammer. If it does not separate after 5 or 6 hits wind the jack open a bit more and try again, and so on. Spraying the ball-joint with penetrating oil before you start can help.

The ball-joint has a rubber seal which could be damaged by excessive heat unless well shielded.

If all else fails grinding through the ball-joint end of the idler arm could weaken the grip on the taper but restricted space is a problem so the grinder would have to be very small and care would be needed not to damage the tapered shank as the new idler arm has to fit over it.

PS I don't mind you posting on this thread but starting one of your own will get you more responses from people much more experienced than me.

Best wishes

[platty]

Thanks Grimble, I think i shall have to tackle it from that angle and fingers crossed it may give :-/

If not.... i will grind the balljoint end of the arm as you say - then try again!

[TheBoy]

Thanks Grimble, I think i shall have to tackle it from that angle and fingers crossed it may give :-/

If not.... i will grind the balljoint end of the arm as you say - then try again!

Or try a balljoint splitter