Upper Ball joint removal

[1968CHEVYC10]

Alright, I'm putting new ball joints and springs in the front of my truck. I've got everything torn down (on one side) except for the upper ball joint. I ground out the top of the rivets, but I'm not sure how to get it out. I can't use the press, and no amount of hammering seems to help. I'm thinking about pulling the whole arm out and putting it in a vise. Any help?

[lolife99]

Pul the arm off and drill them out.
I usually use a grinder to remove the head.
Then just air chisel out the rest of the rivets.

[1968CHEVYC10]

ok cool thanks

[hayhauler71]

leave the arm on ,grind off the rivet head, and air hammer them out.

[cdowns]

use bigger heavier hammer if you dont have the tools the toolsnobs do

[treeboy97]

I had to grind out the rivets and then move up to a 5 pound sledge. A few good swings and they hit the floor.

[hayhauler71]

Originally Posted by cdowns

use bigger heavier hammer if you dont have the tools the toolsnobs do

Thank You

[1968CHEVYC10]

Alright thank guys, I ended up grinding down the rivets more, then knocking them out with a punch and a hammer.

Now I'm trying to get the lower BJ in. The press I rented from autozone seems to be too small, none of the sleeves are long enough and the whole clamp is too short. None of the other stores had anything bigger.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I think I used a BFH on my balljoints, I KNOW I didnt use a press..lol

[cdowns]

good reading if it didn't come with instructions

http://www.ehow.com/how_5598087_use-...int-press.html

[1968CHEVYC10]

you got them in that way? That might work if I pulled the LCA out.

[Jeffs70]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I think I used a BFH on my balljoints, I KNOW I didnt use a press..lol

lol same method I used. BFH and they popped right out. and to put the new ones in they should just be bolted on the top and the bottoms I used the same BFH and they popped in after a few hits. also not a bad idea to use a socket to keep from smashing the center where the grease fitting sits.

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

i think i used a bfh on my balljoints, i know i didnt use a press..lol

x2

[1968CHEVYC10]

So when y'all hit the BJ in with a hammer, was the control arm installed?

[smallblockchev]

Take the lower control arm off and use a press.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by 1968CHEVYC10

So when y'all hit the BJ in with a hammer, was the control arm installed?

You can install lower ball joints all day long with the lower control arm installed on the truck.

Put the lower bj in the hole, support from the bottom with a solid wooden block. Beat around the lbj with a BFH until the ball joint is seated.

Or go to the auto parts store and get a ball joint press on the "free loaner" program.

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by 1968CHEVYC10

So when y'all hit the BJ in with a hammer, was the control arm installed?

yes i have done it installed and out i try it installed first if ya got enough room to get a good swing under it.

[1968CHEVYC10]

Hey y'all, spent a little more time messing with the press and got it figured out. It's all put back together now! The new 3/4 ton springs really help around corners and they don't ride to bad, now for some new shocks. Thanks!

[eyes]

Replacing ball joints in a 1967 C10, I ground the heads of the rivets off so they were flat, center punched it and drilled half way through. I than used a chisel to knock off the tops, punched out the rivets. With the bottom a arms I used a rented puller from parts store. However I used my die grinder to cut away the top part of the ball joint, so I could remove the pin. Once that was done the puller was a breeze, good luck everyone.

[gasmn1620]

removed mine last night. Just drilled through the top of the rivets enough to be down inside the bj plate. then took a chisel and a bfh and knocked the rest of the caps off. Then 2 smacks with the bfh and the upper bjs went flying across the shop. pretty easy actually. A lot easier than getting the damn bushings out.