What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

This is on my 1969 CST/10 long bed pickup with stock all drum brakes. Here is where I am. I have the lower ball joint, spindle, and spring removed. I cut the heads of the rivets into quarters with an air cutoff tool, then used an air chisel to chip the heads off. I tried using a punch and hammer to punch the rivets out, but they are not budging even a little. I drilled into one of the rivets and tried punching again and did not make progress. I ground the surfaces down a little with the cutoff tool to try to find the rivet. The rivets are difficult to see, but I can kind of see the a circle in the metal on 3 of them. I also tried pounding on the ball joint from underneath and was not able to get very hard pounding done at that awkward angle. I may resort to taking the upper control arm off, but would prefer to leave it in place.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

You are on the right track. I have the best luck centerpunching the rivit and drill a smaller hole 1st. Follow that up wth a larger drill bit. When you remove enough metal out of the center , it will budge. And if you have access to a torch, a little heat on the area surrounding the rivit will help.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Thanks, I will go after it that way.

Do you drill the rivet before removing the head of the rivet, or is it really not necessary to remove the head because I'll be drilling out such a large hole that the head will fall off? Do you drill all the way through the rivet or part way?

Since I've already removed the heads of the rivets on this ball joint, It's slowing me down to find the center of the rivet now that I've cut the head off. It just looks like a flat metal surface. I'm having to get the right eyeglasses and look real close with light at the perfect angle, and draw the line with a fine tip marker.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Ive done it both ways. If you do, grind enuf off to make a good flat spot and puch and drill until you remove 60-80 % of the rivit. Then either grind it or chisel it off and punch it on out. Too late on that one but it is easier to find center this way.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Go at the ball joint sides with chisel tip on air hammer keeping tip mostly flat to arm as not to dig in. Should pop out enough to pry off of rivets. The rivets- If you have a torch, heat rivet red hot and hit it with dull pointed tip on air hammer. If no heat cut rivet shank just above arm and go at it the same way. A good air hammer is your friend.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Are you able to support the underside of the control arm with something solid between it and the ground? If it is just resting on the rubber bumper, then a lot of the force from hammering with a punch will be lost.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

FOR SURE......I use a jack with a piece of steel up under the outer lip of the arm to support it. Then with a good punch just drive the rivets out.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

I grind as you did the heads off or torch them off then use as mentioned a hammer and chisel and knock the balljoint loose then grind or torch the remaining rivet off even with the control arm. Then just support the arm and hit them with a punch. Leaves the hole nice and clean ready for reassembly.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

I appreciate your advice, folks. This was time consuming. When I finished my wife asked me if I want to go to lunch, and I said don't you mean breakfast? Then I looked at the clock. Holy cow!

I tried a variety of things you guys mentioned. What ended up working best for me, so I will try it on all 4 rivets on the other side, is support the control arm, center punch, drill a small hole followed by a 1/4" hole 1/4" deep (most of the way through), then put a 1/4" punch in the hole and hit it a few times. On the other side since I still have the rivet heads on, I will need to drill the holes, then chip the heads off, and drill some more. It's hard to figure out how deep to go without going all the way through.

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Put a little heat around surround metal of rivet and they will punch right out no prob.
Small propane Torch is enough

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

Also, if you have a punch you are trying to knock the rivets out with I hold the punch with a pair of vice grips. That way you aren't afraid to swing that hammer with some gusto!

Re: What is the next step for removing upper ball joints?
 

I was actually surprised how cheap loaded new upper control arms were on rock auto. I did that on mine. Made life tons easier.