MONTHLY TECHNICAL

Bolt threads

4 Looking from the front, the fulcrum bracket is held between the arms by two bolts. They’re wire brushed and easing oil is applied before dismantling.

Driver

7 A drift and hammer is used to drive the stud of the ball joint upward to loosen it from the diff. The nut stays on for now.

All free

10 Now that the axle cannot tip, it’s safe to remove the ball joint nut and washer and the two bolts holding the fulcrum bracket to the A-frame arms.

Castellated

5 While the easing oil soaks in, the split pin is withdrawn from the castellated nut which holds the joint to the mounting bracket on the diff.

A-frame

8 Now, the nuts and washers are removed from the two bolts holding the fulcrum bracket in the A-frame, but the bolts are left in place for the moment.

Lift- off

11 The bracket and ball joint assembly is lifted off. Now the A-frame arms’ forward bushes can be checked. Mating faces on the arms and diff are cleaned up.

Alignment

6 Socket and extension must be vertically aligned with nut when releasing. This shouldered socket avoids the hump in axle casing. Nut left on loosely.

Diff support

9 We now support the nose of the diff, jacking it slightly until the stud of the ball joint will move freely up and down in its axle bracket.

Hardened

12 No play can be detected in the old ball joint, but the gaitor protecting the joint has hardened with age and is split in several places.

New parts

13 The new A-frame ball joint is supplied mounted on its fulcrum bracket, and complete with new castellated nut, washer and split pin. New bolts also obtained.

Rebuild

14 Re-assembly is a reversal, entering the ball joint stud through the axle bracket, then loosely fitting the bolts holding the arms to the fulcrum bracket.

Pinned down

15 The new castellated nut and washer are fitted and tightened first, then the new pin is fitted and bent only enough to keep it in.

Bolted

16 Finally, the nuts are tightened on the two bolts holding the fulcrum bracket between the A-frame arms. Anti-seize grease on all threads helps it come apart next time.