106 suspension arm nightmare

[mwcr85]

Having a nightmare replacing the suspension arms on a 1.1 106, got one in but the ball joint cover split and the ball joint has come out of the arm. Been and got some spring compressors to compress the springs and give a bit more room. Is there a way of doing these without forcing them in and losing your temper?

Thanks

[Sump Scraper]

If you have a spare trolley jack,jack the arm up until the ball joint is in place.

I think i might have mis read your post??
I though you we're trying to get the ball joint back into position.

[mwcr85]

It was more getting the hub above the lower arm and aligned. Just didn't want to fit. Got it in and tore the boot (the reason it's being renewed ) and then the balljoint came out of the arm !

[interloper]

What have you managed to do so far? The usual method is to either separate the ball joint first, unless its bolted to the arm (rather than press fit) in which case you unbolt the ball joint bolts. Then you, detach the anti roll bar (unless its joined to the strut, in which case don't bother) then undo the bolts holding the arm to the car/subframe and it should be off....

If you need to separate the ball joint from the bottom of the strut, you will need a good ball joint separator and possibly lots of brute force and ignorance (especially if you aren't re using it!) Have you got a decent ball joint separator and a big hammer?

[interloper]

mwcr85 said:

It was more getting the hub above the lower arm and aligned. Just didn't want to fit. Got it in and tore the boot (the reason it's being renewed ) and then the balljoint came out of the arm !

If the ball joint has popped out of the arm, the joint and arm are scrap.

[mwcr85]

interloper said:

What have you managed to do so far? The usual method is to either separate the ball joint first, unless its bolted to the arm (rather than press fit) in which case you unbolt the ball joint bolts. Then you, detach the anti roll bar (unless its joined to the strut, in which case don't bother) then undo the bolts holding the arm to the car/subframe and it should be off....

If you need to separate the ball joint from the bottom of the strut, you will need a good ball joint separator and possibly lots of brute force and ignorance (especially if you aren't re using it!) Have you got a decent ball joint separator and a big hammer?

Removed the old arm/ball joint with relative ease (ball joint is pressed in, and will be buying a new ball joint ). Lined up the bolts throught the body and the subframe. struggle to get clearance between the ball joint and the hub. Just curious as to whether there was a special method or sequence of refitting on 106s.

[interloper]

Not familiar with the 106 specifically but you can use coil spring compressors to adjust the height of the hub making it easier to get everything to line up and a jack beneath the arm.

[mwcr85]

Yeah I had a quick test before with the spring compressors on and there seemed to be a bit more room to play around in. bd Peugeots!

[maniac0796]

These aren't hard to do. However, it is one of those jobs that aren't helped by working on the floor. You need the car up ideally to get a good swing with a hammer, and to be able to pull down on the arm to get the ball joint back in. If you've got an ARB, unbolt that from the wishbone because that'll make it harder to push down on the arm.

As for the ball joint not going in, you've either got the wrong arm, or you haven't installed it properly.

[E30M3SE]

A quick search reveals this

[mwcr85]

E30M3SE said:

A quick search reveals this

Exactly what I did, just wasn't for going back.

[mwcr85]

Replaced the otherside no problem today. Had a play with the bad side and couldnt get it anywhere near. Will be taking the arm back tomorrow.