Stuck pin

mikehn

Hi all
Looking for advice on how to remove a steel pin that is seized in an aluminum arm
The car is a 1979 citroen cx that I am restoring, I am working on the rear suspension at the moment and need to replace the gaiters on the rear arms. there is a type of split pin that goes through the rear aluminum arm that retains the suspension ram. One pin on the drivers side slipped out no bother and the passenger side one is firmly wedged in place. i assume that there has been a reaction between the different metals that has led to it jamming. I fed it penetrating fluid for over a week after the problem emerged. It would'nt shift on muscle power, I tried gripping it with a vice and slipping a large screwdriver in for additional leverage, no good. I also tried tapping the screwdriver with a hammer to give the effect of a slide hammer, no good. A friend of mine suggested heat, did'nt work but I succeeded in snapping the pin leaving about a half inch sticking out. Another suggestion was to drill it out but I would be seriously worried about the bit drifting off the narrow pin into the softer aluminum.
I am now considering cutting off the piece that's sticking out and using a steel nail as a punch and trying to punch it through, I reckon I have enough clearance on the opposite side to allow this. Before I try this I'm hoping that someone might have a better suggestion. Thanks

Luckysasha

I'd say drilling it is your best bet. If you could break it off flush with the aluminium and the centre punch the heck out of it to get it slightly below the surface of the aluminium you stand a good chance of drilling it successfully. Before you do anything get an accurate diameter measurement of the pin and match the drill bit accordingly

Interslice

Looks like getting a drill at that square on would be tricky?

Is there pressure on the pin holding it in place that wasn't on the other? Maybe you could you get a second person to lever the arm about while you try and twist and knock the pin out.

CJhaughey

Try heating the pin red hot and tapping it in a little, then pull it out a little and if you can twist it it might help.
Don't cut it off, the way it is you could still tack weld a washer or nut to the end to be able to get more purchase on the pin.
Tack welding a small nut to the end might also break it free from the heat.

robertx

I'd agree with cjhaughy, don't break it off. You could try to cool it. Maybe steel expands more the aluminium and it's tightening it by heating it. If you got a steel rod (5mm diameter) and drilled out a shaft up the axis of the rod (20mm deep) to go around the pin you could hammer it loose. It wont bent as the rod would be over and around it but you'd have something solid to hit.

macplaxton

Heat the bastard up with a MAPP gas torch. Let it cool. Attack it with some Plus Gas.

Heat it up for a second time for good luck. When it's cool, attack it with some more plus gas and see if it will rotate at all without going mad.

No loss in cutting/grinding it flush if you have to and can get in there. Big hammer and a punch and some dead accurate blows and it should shift it.

This is on a Xantia, but it's the same old Citroen nightmare:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40698

Take the lot off and do it on the bench.