A arm removal

[LukeD]

I bent my upper left A arm. Hammered it back to fairly straight on the hill. Now am in the middle of trying to swap out the old one for the new one. But I doesn’t just slide/pull away from the body. It catches on the plastic. Anyone have advice on how to remove it? Other than cutting the original one that’s still on there. Also any tricks I should know when installing the new A arm in place. TIA

 

[LukeD]

 

[zal]

I’m guessing that if you measure the new a arm across the ears and compare to the old one, the new one will be a bit narrower. Looking at where the old one is bent, it’s probably putting pressure against the outside of the ears and against the bulkhead.
But that’s just a guess.
Might have to cut the old one out and the new one should just slip in. Again, just a guess from your pictures.

 

[jcjc1]

this vid explains how to change out a-arms. i watched this before putting new a-arms on my gen5 and the sled in the vid is a gen4.

 

[LukeD]

I watched that video too. Lots of videos out there, but they all showed the exhaust side, not the clutch side (forgot to mention this in first post). The plastic is different on each side, at least in my sled it is. I can’t get those washers out. Probably will end up cutting the original one. Hopefully new arm fits without needing much encouragement haha.

 

[gedakbx]

What hold the plastic on is it easily removable

 

[Turts]

You just need to wiggle the factory one a little bit. (Maybe yours is bent)
Make sure rear washer is removed first.
Hold you tongue just right and swear in French if you are able...

 

[NoBrakes!]

I did one a while back… it goes but it’s tight… I had the ball joint swing up and smack me in the eyebrow… blood and swearing ensued while attempting reassembly…

The plastic washers were tough to hold in place and get the whole thing in… but just when you think it’s not going in… it does!

 

[greenthumb]

If all else fails, get a BFH!
Don't worry, it doesn't have any feelings.

 

[LukeD]

If all else fails, get a BFH!
Don't worry, it doesn't have any feelings.

 

[LukeD]

Ended up cutting the a arm. It was definitely bent. There was just no way I could get those back washers out first. New an arm went in pretty smoothly. Took 10 minutes to coax the plastic bushing that sits in the bolts sleeve past that washer, but finally got it. Thanks to all for the help!