Replacing LF suspension on Crossle 45f

[snettleship]

Over the past couple of years I've had contact, wheel to wheel, on the left front. There was always a small toe adjustment needed. When I bought the car in 2010 it came with spares. Many suspension pieces were in the original Crossle bags. I looked at them and they looked like they were never used. I asked myself "why am I waiting for a crash or failure to replace these"? So, I decided to replace the upper/lower wishbones, steering arm (drop link?), rod ends, sleeve nut.... I got everything off, but I'm not sure how to remove the Outer bearing (A7 in the Crossle 30/32/35 FF diagram). Is this pressed in somehow? Should I just purchase a new one instead of reuse? Pic shows looking where the hub goes into the lower wishbone. Same question for installing the bearing... Thanks

[Lotus7]

Those spherical bearings are usually pushed in from one side against a shoulder, with a C-clip holding it in place on the side it went in from.
To get it out, remove the C-clip, heat up the ring of the A-arm around it gently with a torch while pushing on the spherical with something appropriately size like a socket. If you time it correctly, the A-arm will expand just enough to let the bearing drop out before enough heat is transferred to the bearing to equalize the temperatures and re-establish the tight fit.
May take a few tries before you time it right. Don't overdue the heat on the A-arm.

[hdsporty1988]

I would recommend using a new bearing. That way your current A arm is a ready to use spare in case of damage at the track.

[snettleship]

Followup question. What is the recommended way to remove the hub and leave the bearing in place? Didn't want to start off by just pounding on the threaded bolt...