I am having some technical difficulties removing the A-Arms bearings on my 87 LT500. I have tried heating the outside and taking an old socket thatw as the same size as the bearing and driving them out but they won't budge. Any suggestions?

 

If you have access to a press, just use that same socket that fit the metal ring on the outside of the bearing and press it out. The bearings were probably pressed fit into the a-arms, (I am not familiar with the lt models) and with the years of corrosion it makes it even more difficult to get them out. Make sure you also use some type of spray lube to help break that layer of corrosion.

 

I don't have access to a press, but my neighbor might so I'll check with him, thanks for the reply.

 

My advice is use a bigger hammer! mine too were rusted in there but after some heavy hitting, they broke loose and start to move out. Just be careful not to damage the a arm in any way. I certainly used some force, but the bearing cages werent even dented!

 

Thanks Aussie, unfortuantely I am limited on tools right now (LONG STORY) so I'll just have to do with what I've got. I am also putting the A-Arm on wood, should I put it on concrete or metal or would wood(haha) be better since the wood will break beofre the A-Arms.

 

well ive got steel benches on my shed and concrete floors. i used a socket on the end of one of those long extenders. its hard to explain, but i put the extender thru one of the bearings and then into the socket to push out the opposite bearing, therefore im pushing out the bearings AWAY from the a arm, not into the middle of it. while holding it all in place i slammed the a arm down against the steel bench with the socket extension first(ive got a area reserved for smashing hehe) and after a few strong hits they start moving. one was really stubborn, so i placed that one on the back part of a vice, and hit on the socket extension with a big hammer until i noticed it move, then i went back to the bench. Hey it worked for me. if you've got a press definate use that. anytime you go smashing, it can go bad. you just got break there grip and then push them out all the way. And i wouldnt use wood. wood wil fall apart well before the bearings will move.

 

I still can't gt the bearings out, and I am doing what you said about the socket/extension thing but it doesn't work. They are caked with rust.

 

If they are caked in rust, try spraying some penitrating fluid on them and let it soak for awhile. This might help.

Danno

 

OK, I got the lower A-Arm bearings out, now how can I get the upper A-Arm bearings out, I don't feel like pushing one bearing all the way throught the the A-Arm, then having to push 2 out but if I have to then I guess I will, but if you know of a different way let me know. Thanks for all the help.

 

OK, ok, if you have a vise, you have a press. Put the socket against the bearing, put a bigger socket over the other end of the A-arm, then slip it into the vise and tighten away. You may hafta smack the vise a few times to help it along. For the long tube uppers, add a long extension and hope your vise opens wide enough. This way you won't accidentally hit and mar up the arms....also, regular transmision fluid works real well for helping rusted parts free up( better than WD in my opinion)