Hi guys,
I have been following the how to on mini engine removal, all ok so far all I need to do now is remove the driveshafts. It says that on pot joints, undo and break the taper on bottom ball joint and remove ball joint from control arm, then pop driveshaft out of the pot joint. Not done this before, to take drive shaft out as it is connected at both endswhat about the top and bottom control arms and the tie rod joint does all that need to be removed as well???
If I remove the nut off bottom joint / control arm, do I just tap control arm to free it from the joint ?? I know that once I have done it I will know for next time but I am unsure what to remove at this stage.Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Just undo the nut of the upper ball joint and use a ball joint splitter to pop the ball joint (try use one of the screw action lever ones rather than a 'tuning fork' style one).

Then all you need to do is pull the top of the hub towards you and this will pull the drive shaft out of the pot joint (make sure you've undone and ties on the pot joint boot).

Then when you actually pull the engine out you can free the other drive shaft from its pot joint by moving the engine a little bit sideways as you lift it.

I don't know if it makes any difference but I always pull the driver's side drive shaft out first.

It might be a good idea to put a tray under the pot joint when you are pulling the shaft out in case your balls drop unexpectedly.

"I don't know if it makes any difference but I always pull the driver's side drive shaft out first. "

I find this easier to do it this way as well.

Where about are you jethro? If your around my neck of the woods, I'm happy to come around and give you a hand anytime this week.

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Bluey-1973 Clubby - 1330, high lift, big cam, 7 port madness in progress..

Gumby-1978 Minivan, British Racing Green - 1310, high lift, mild cam, enlarged porting and chamber shape with big valve head, supercharged build in ever slow progress!

thanks guys, I have removed the nut and washer off the top joint and I have got a screw type splitter but not having done this before, what am I separating from what, in other words where do I put the splitter

Hi Jethro!

If you look at the round bit of metal under the washer you just removed, the two legs in a cup shape on the splitter go under this (the other side, below it) and the narrow rocking bit goes on top of the thread you just took the nut off.
I would wind the nut on a bit so you don't damage the thread.
It might take a bit of a shove to locate the bottom bit of the splitter.
Once on properly and the top bit of the splitter is on the nut, put a socket and wratchet on the bolt on the puller and do it up, wait for the bang and it should separate.

Be careful!

I hope this makes sense to you.

Regards, Lindsay

Hey Lockie91, thanks for the offer but I doubt that you will be in my neck of the woods as I am at Gin Gin near Bundaberg but thanks anyway. I have just read the reply from Lindsay so I will give it a go soon. Wait for the 'bang', don`t you just love it. Thanks guys I`ll try it soon.

Jethro

Just make sure your not under the car when it does end up going bang. You will crap yourself.
And which arm are you undoing? If you can jam a bit of wood in the where the bump stop goes itll hold the top arm out of the way and make the ball joint easier to split.
And if youve drained the oil out of the engine you can pull the whole pot out, usually with a big screwdriver to jimmy them. Means you dont get all greasy.
Other than that take it slow and think about what your doing. Good luck.

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Simplify and add lightness

I agree the top ball joint on the drivers side is the one to undo. That said, if it is a clubby you can remove the engine without dropping a ball joint. If it is a roundie it is a much bigger fiddle and I always drop a ball joint.

Hi guys Jethro here, there wasn`t a big bang after all that. Would I need to take off the bottom arm as it seems I can`t pull the hub down far enough to clear the thread on the top joint. it is a 78 clubby and I am doing passenger side first. I hope I haven`t started off on the wrong side!!!!

Jethro

Hey Jethro.

If you get a long block of wood or a bar, you should be able to lever up the top arm to get the thread clear.

Hope this helps!

Regards, Lindsay

Youd be safer to jack under the bottom ball joint, stick a bit of wood where the bump stop goes in the drop the jack down. The top arm will be held out of the way.

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Simplify and add lightness