Radius arm removing

[BAO B]

Hello again,

I removed all the bolts and the cover for the radius arm. What is the best way to removed the radius arm? I would think just straight outward force.. just any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Bao

Hi Bao,

You are right with "just straight outward force". Quite often the inner rubber bushing is more or less "melted" to its seat in the chassis. Corrosion can make the situation even more worse.

Use a clamp, grabbing the edge of the spring plate, and pull - or using a hammer - it straight out. Be carefull not damaging the torsion bar. You need to be a bit inventive to create a suitable puller. Perhaps some penetrating oil and even heat might help.

Also the following link here on the board could help you solving the problem.

[URL="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/553930-spring-plate-bushing-removal-tip-help.html"]

Otto

Hi Bao,

You are right with "just straight outward force". Quite often the inner rubber bushing is more or less "melted" to its seat in the chassis. Corrosion can make the situation even more worse.

Use a clamp, grabbing the edge of the spring plate, and pull - or using a hammer - it straight out. Be carefull not damaging the torsion bar. You need to be a bit inventive to create a suitable puller. Perhaps some penetrating oil and even heat might help.

Also the following link here on the board could help you solving the problem.

Spring Plate Bushing Removal - Tip and help

Otto

[BAO B]

Otto,
Thank you so much for the information. I guess is a matter using force with some wd-40 to loosen up. I will update my efforts in coming days.

Bao

Good luck, Bao,

I know how frustrating these things can be ...

Otto

[BAO B]

Hi everyone,

I was able to finally separated the radius arm from the body. Yes, with just outward force, lots of it.
My problem now is the radius arm doesn't want to separate from the torsion bar..what is the best way to approach this?


Thanks again,
Bao

[WFBowen]

One way is to drill a small hole ( 1/8" or so) in the cover, then support the spring plate against the chassis. Using a blunted nail or similar, tap the torsion bar out of the cover. When you're all done, just fill the hole.

Hi Bao,

That's indeed the correct method to remove it with the least risk to damage the torsion bar.

BTW Is the seat for the inner rubber bushing in good condition. In your picture only the damage of the inner rubber bushing is visible. And what about the right side?

Otto

[BAO B]

Hello Otto and WF Bowen,

The inner bushing seat area is in ok condition, just need to be cleaned up. As for right side, i didn't get to it yet.

So i'm just curious of the approximate thickness of the cap that i'm about to drilled. I think this is important since i don't want to drill through the cap too deep, or it will basically drill the torsion bar also.

Thanks,
Bao

Bao,

I don't remember what the exact thickness is, but think of something like less than 1 mm (1/24"). Wind a few layers of strong tape or put a bushing around the drill - just a few millimeters from the top of the drill - to prevent that it "shoots" into the hole when drilled through the metal. At the other hand you don't have to worry. When drilling carefully and patience at low speed, you will not damage the top of the torsion bar.

Otto

[BAO B]

Hi again,

I drilled successfully, about 1/4" dia. I sprayed wd-40 through the opening where the torsion bar inserted in the radius arm. I used a quality puncher and hammered through the cavity of the cap and it won't budge.... I think i'll wait for the wd-40 to work for a day or so and try again.

Thank you,
Bao

Hi Bao,

Well done. Leave it for some time and perhaps some additional heat might help to get the torsion bar out. But first remove the rubber...

Otto

[AG Wino]

I had the same problem when I tried replacing the rubber bushings and torsion bars on my 1969 912 about 8 years ago. I drilled a hole in the end of the spring plate and flooded it with WD-40. After about 4 days, I was able to take a punch and drive the torsion bar out. Rather than trying to fill the hole on the end of the spring plates, I decided to replace them with adjustable spring plates & new beefier torsion bars. Good luck.