ball joint replacement
 

Got a 2/4 lowering kit from early classic. Replaced all the rear parts easily since the bed is off: New springs, shocks, panhard bar, shock relocating mounts.

Now working on the front. Replacing the 34 year old ball joints today (in the rain... yeah that's fun).

Anybody have advice on how to remove the upper ball joint.

I've cut off the rivets... now do I just wail on it with a big a** hammer and chisel or is there a more elegant way to get them out?

David

Re: ball joint replacement
 

Easiest done by removing the upper a-arm. then support the edges and knock it out. You can also use a correct size punch and drive the studs out. A chisel helps sometimes. Best way --- I actually drilled the rivets out.

Re: ball joint replacement
 

I ground em' down to flat and then you will see the circle outline...choose appropriate punch and with a 3 pound emma....pound them out!

Re: ball joint replacement
 

as chevydude mentioned on the rivits, and if you can't get the ball joint off the control arms, just hit em with a big fat hammer.

Re: ball joint replacement
 

:agree:

BEAT EM LIKE YOU OWN EM.... cause you do!

:metal:

Re: ball joint replacement
 

Rivets didn't want to drive out (starting to hate those little buggers). So, Yeah. I beat on those puppies with a BAH and a chisel around the edges until they said uncle.

I took it easy on the first upper ball joint. The second one, I beat the hell out of (took a lot less time that way :-)

No easy way to do this job. But it sure pays off with the fresh feel to the steering.

David

Re: ball joint replacement
 

Air hammer with bull point bit. They'll come right out.

Re: ball joint replacement
 

isn't that what a ball joint pickle fork is for?

Re: ball joint replacement
 

Pickle fork separates the ball joint from the spindle.

Separating the ball joint from the A frames is another story.

D

Re: ball joint replacement
 

I just did this same thing on the 72 burb this weekend... used a big beater and a huge socket that rode the outside of the lower ball joint and some anti-sieze and she slowly listened to me as I talked her into her new home!:metal:

Re: ball joint replacement
 

They will come out. Like said above, support the A arm. Position punch appropriately, a few good whacks....they'll be laying on the floor.