411 pitman and idler arms removal

[californiabristol]

Does anyone know the best way of removing the pitman and idler arms from their respective vertical shafts? The front suspension subframe is removed from the car. Everything is removed from the subframe except the steering components. I need to remove the bolts and slide the arms off the splines.

Also, how to get upper spring seats out of the shock tower?

Thanks,
Greg

[peterf]

You need a "ball joint cracker" - perhaps google that. A very simple tool and simple process.

Cheers

peter

[Kevin H]

Greg,
When you say "upper spring seats" what exactly are you referring to?

Any chance you can upload a photo showing what you are wanting to remove?

and what series 411 is it?

Kevin

[californiabristol]

Hello Peter and Kevin.

Thank you Peter for the idler arm advice. I have forks, a ball joint separator, and several pullers. The separator seems to be the
correct choice although this wasn't immediately obvious to me.

Kevin, I am referring to the 2 parts that nestle up into the shock tower.
I want to clean up and repaint the sub-frame, so I want to remove
all non steel parts.

[californiabristol]

Hello Peter and Kevin.

Thank you Peter for the idler arm advice. I have forks, a ball joint separator, and several pullers. The separator seems to be the
correct choice although this wasn't immediately obvious to me.

Kevin, I am referring to the 2 parts that nestle up into the shock tower.
I want to clean up and repaint the sub-frame, so I want to remove
all non steel parts.

[Kevin H]

Greg,

Your photo suggests your car has either been modified or someone has created a metal replacement for the original parts shown here


Regards,
Kevin

[californiabristol]

Kevin,
I agree, the aluminum seat is probably a non-standard modification.
SLJ did work on the car, when I was living in Germany, and I am sure it included replacing the spring seats. So I may have a record of new parts modified or otherwise.
Do you know how to best slide the seat and spacer the shock tower?

Thank you for the images of the original parts,

Greg

[Kevin H]

Greg,

I'm sorry but I've never seen this aluminium replacement of the spring seats before, so I don't know how it comes out. Asking SLJ is probably your best bet.

The original parts come out very easily (when they are new at least)- they are not fixed in place in any way. There is just a small round lug at the high point on the top of the angled spacer which locates in a hole in the upper spring seat.

Given how much effort Bristol went to to get the front suspension 'just right', I'm surprised SLJ eschewed the original spring seat components, which presumably insulate the spring from the front cross member and provide some additional damping.

Although I have no doubt the aluminium inserts save a few hundred quid and last a lot longer that the original components.

regards,
Kevin

[californiabristol]

With a little research, I discovered that one of my pullers was in fact a
Pitman arm puller. Unfortunately it appeared to bend dangerously under stress.
The arm wasn't moving. The internet provided a solution in the form of a conical Pitman arm puller. Two days and $40 later, the Pitman arm is now off - easily. Off course, use penetrating spray. The shaft of the puller will protrude through a hole in the front suspension sub-frame.

[peterf]

Just caught up with your progress - well done.

Cheers

Pete

[californiabristol]

Peter, thank you for your advice. Now that the Pitman arm is off,
the ZF steering box is proving difficult. There may be corrosion holding
the box to the sub frame around the Pitman shaft. I will try to rotate
the box using a large bar clamped to the side of the box.
What would help is photograph of a separated ZF steering unit.

Thanks,
Greg