Torsion arms

[filbay]

Hi, I am asking this for a friend who owns a Type 2. He is trying to replace the ball joints, and wants to remove the torsion arms to get the old ones pressed out. He has removed the lower arm but cannot budge the top one, which according to his Haynes should pull off. He has tried Plus Gas, heat and some brute force but without success, but doesn,t want to cause any damage. Has anyone any ideas, or could he remove the opld ball joint "in situ" ? Any advice would be appreciated.

[boatdog]

hi dont know if it helps but i have done this on a beetle which has the same torsion bar set up its a big hammer job on the arm you got off you have a smooth tube bit thats nice and shiny well that slides through the needle bearings inside the torsion tubes so you have to hammer it out, block of wood on the arm and hammer it out, probs been in there a lot of years and will be reluctant to move.

[filbay]

Thanks for your advice, will be around there tomorrow so will give it a go ! Thanks again.....

[bigherb]

Yes it should pull off. Check no one has not put a splash of weld on the end of the leaves though. And make sure you align the new ball joints the correct way round.

[filbay]

Thanks for your guidance. We,ve managed to remove it as suggested so all,s well. What would we do without the internet ( oh, and a big hammer ! ) , thanks again.........