Pick Up Hitch Top Pins

[hiking bear]

Im trying to remove my pick up hitch top linkage. On the lift arms there are Two large pins ( One in each arm). The pins look as though they are push in with one end of pin having a flange the size of a large washer. Are these pins more than likely to be stuck or is there a way of removing them? Ive tried tapping them back in situ and they wont move. Dont wish to cause unneccersary damage.

[EddieJ]

Im trying to remove my pick up hitch top linkage. On the lift arms there are Two large pins ( One in each arm). The pins look as though they are push in with one end of pin having a flange the size of a large washer. Are these pins more than likely to be stuck or is there a way of removing them? Ive tried tapping them back in situ and they wont move. Dont wish to cause unneccersary damage.

Are these the pins you describe?


They should just drift out with a hammer and suitable punch/bar, although they can get stuck solid, we removed the whole lift arms and held it in our big vice and drifted the pins with a small lump hammer. You could always use some WD40 or the like to soak them first. Some of the pins are held in with split pins but you would have spotted them, is this diagram of any help (click to open full screen):

[Tubal Cain]

Beware of striking these pins too hard as you can cause the ends of the pin to spread which makes removal even more difficult.

Apply plenty of heat or soak them in Diesel or release oil. Once they start to move do not drive them staight out tap them backwards and forwards moving them a little bit further each time until they are free using plenty of oil.

Gerald

[hiking bear]

EddieJ, Thanks for photo, the pins are the ones furthest away in your photo,or should i say nearest the top of photo.. They actually pass through the lift arms. Looks like im going to have to take the assembly and the lift arms off to put on the bench.