I just replaced the A-arm bushings and the upper ball joint. Used a press for all to remove and install. Much easier and controlled than using a BFH.

 

Just want to throw a couple things in here at the end as I just completed the rear ball joint along with replacing every bushing in the truck with poly bush reds.

If your ball joint is the least bit worn, you will wind up just spinning the ball in the housing as you try to remove the nut. There is no way to get an impact socket on it either due to the sort of hood that the ball joint mounts in. No room for an an angle grinder either, I had to grind off the nut with a little stone mounted in a 1/4" die grinder.

If you buy the poly bush kit, the rear A frame bushings are NOT in the kit, you need to order them separately.

Finally, if you have any thoughts of getting the old ball joint out of the A frame with a hammer, forget it. I luckily had a nice 70 ton press at my disposal and we had to put so much pressure on it to get it out we were worried the housing was going to split. It is also not easy to get the bolt holes in the flange lined up properly with the holes in the housing, do yourself a favor and get some long bolts to line them up properly before pressing it back in.

 

I found this link but I am sure a press is the way to go.

Guide to Fitting Defender A-Frame Balljoint - Repair My Landrover - Repair My Landrover

 

The upper A arm and ball joint took all 20 tons of the ram to get out, with lube all went together easier, IMO without the press you would do more harm the good on that rear ball joint, a acetalyn torch set and bmf hammer maybe but I think there is to much chance for damage

 

No idea how they got that socket in the rear in the link for the ball joint nut, I tried and had to buy a gooseneck box end 30 mm wrench

 

Looks to be 110. It's easier on defenders.

I had to use a wrench, not socket on my 90 when I swapped the rear axle housing to a disco with disc brake type setup.

 

I ended up pulling the cotter pin,jacked up the body, put the wrench on the nut and slid rest of wrench between sway bar and gas tank, then put foot on wrench and push HARD the nut was that tight, once the nut is off couple good whacks on that part of the rear with a mini sledge and it pops right off


Guess I should take a pic of the wrench