How to get plungers out of a '51 A10

[Steverat]

Can you gentlemen help me summon either the knowledge or the brute strength required? I wish to remove the plungers to send the subframe off for powder coating. The Bacon book says its easy to do by hand, I'd like to know how! The only thing I managed so far is to remove those alloy plugs from the top lugs.

[muskrat]

G'day Steve.
Remove the pinch bolts and drive the columns up through the top. Be careful removing the rest (just slides out) as it's under spring compression.
Cheers

[Steverat]

Thanks Musky.

[Greybeard]

Tie some rope through the middle so the whole thing doesn't go too far

[Rex]

Or lay the frame on it's side on some carpet and flap the rest of the carpet over the top and push it out with your foot. Nothing to be scared of as it's not under that much compression.
Regarding knocking the central pillars out I used a ground-down top cap refitted, and hammered on that.

[Steverat]

Thanks for the great tips, did as you advised shielding myself from the “flight of the plunger bee” by covering it with an old mudguard then some gentle persuasion with a longish tyre lever. My there’s some force in those springs though. Already worrying about how I shall get them back in after painting/plating.

[Greybeard]

Thanks for the great tips, did as you advised shielding myself from the “flight of the plunger bee” by covering it with an old mudguard then some gentle persuasion with a longish tyre lever. My there’s some force in those springs though. Already worrying about how I shall get them back in after painting/plating.

Superman Musky just uses his superior strength to compress them. I believe he consumes spinach first. I wrote up how I did mine last year using a car trolley jack. I'll see if I can find it.

Hope this link works
https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=10958.msg82600#msg82600

[Rex]

I did mine by strength too. If the frame is fork-less just prop it up to get the bottom plunger lugs on the ground and put your weight on the plunger unit to compress it. I used a suitable socket placed in the bottom lug to locate the bottom spring. Worked OK.

[muskrat]

Just ask the wife.

[Gavin]

No one in their right mind would consider asking the other one in the photo !!!

Sorry Musky you set yourself up for that one mate.

[Greybeard]

Hello Mrs Musky X