Drag link ball joint taper is well and truly stuck in the steering drop link. Even a 12 ton ram operated separator won't budge it! Failed removal always abuses things in greater or lesser degree so, even though it was OK before its now got to be done. Whole link is well rusty and seal on wheel end joint is pretty manky too.

Looks like the only way its coming off will be to take the steering drop link off complete with drag link and get medieval with it in the work shop. If I show it the angle grinder and chop ball off the stem so as to have a straight push with the shop press it ought to go.

$64,000 question is how much of battle is it to get the steering drop link off and back on correctly. Do you need a special puller? Official Land Rover device is "impressive" in both price and appearance. Bearmach sell a fairly weedy looking alternative. I can make something to take a 12 ton ram that should be effective.

Clive

I suspect Sloth still has the scar on his leg from when him and Marty tried to do just that at the first summer camp. Marty wanted to change his steering box but the new one didn't have the drop arm so the old one had to be removed and refitted. If I remember correctly it involved at least 4 people, assorted wedges and a sledge hammer.......

Confirms my worst fears!

When the official Sykes Pickavant made tool has both a monster force screw and provision for walloping the end with a big hammer you know a battle is normal https://primetools.co.uk/product/sykes-pickavant-05050000-land-rover-drop-arm-puller/ . Don't think the weedy Laser / Bearmach et al style offering has much chance unless the car has spent its life in one of the heated motor houses specified by Mr Bugatti.

Am I feeling brave enough to chop the ball joint stem on the car, hook up the 12 ton hydraulic puller, wind it up good'n tight and heat the beast until the taper slackens. At least the swivels are in now, lower one shot as usual, and only got the lock stop to re-make before thats all up together again.

Maybe I'll finish the brake job first before the weather goes. Which was all I intended to do in first place but I had all the other bits waiting ....

Sunshine in October can really mess with your head.

Clive

Give it some plus gas, get a 32oz ballpen hammer and wallop the drag link, it will drop out, a few good wallops should be enough.

Can confirm: still have scar.

That was fun, until it wasn't...