The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-01-2015, 01:59 PM   #1
68wannabe
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 90
Ball joint removal

So I'm planning on doing my front disc brake swap on my 68 this week. What's an easy way to get very rusted cotter pins out of the castle nuts on the ball joints? I already broke one off. I'm guessing I could break them off and just force the nuts off the ball joints, but just seeing if there's an easier way. Thanks.
68wannabe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2015, 03:20 PM   #2
hugger6933
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Marianna Arkansas
Posts: 7,262
Re: Ball joint removal

Most of the time it is the way to go is to just screw the nut off and then drive out the center of the cotter pin if needed once the nut is off.
hugger6933 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2015, 04:03 PM   #3
Raider Rudy
Registered User
 
Raider Rudy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Riverside, Ca.
Posts: 241
Re: Ball joint removal

I have never had cotter pins that were rusted to that point & I've worked on some pretty old stuff. If the ends break off I would spray some WD40 on em & use a punch, screw driver or even a nail to push them through. I don't think it will be that tough.
__________________
1969 Chevy Long Fleet Custom C/10 (2nd owner)
1971 Chevy Short Fleet Custom C/10 (2nd owner)
2001 Chevy Silverado Ext Cab
Raider Rudy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2015, 08:30 PM   #4
PanelDeland
I am a Referee of life.
 
PanelDeland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
Re: Ball joint removal

If you're having that much trouble with the cotter pins, you need to video the conversion. I'm predicting brand new cuss words.
__________________
The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion.
You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape.
"My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!"
Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold!
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck"
"Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult'
"Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"
PanelDeland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2015, 11:40 PM   #5
68wannabe
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 90
Re: Ball joint removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by PanelDeland View Post
If you're having that much trouble with the cotter pins, you need to video the conversion. I'm predicting brand new cuss words.
Oh you can bet that is absolutely going to happen haha. But I got to thinking, since I already have spindles and am replacing the ball joints, I can cut or torch a few things if necessary.
68wannabe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 12:44 AM   #6
texasld
Registered User
 
texasld's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wilmot, NH
Posts: 443
Re: Ball joint removal

It seems like I read about heating up ball joints can cause the joint to blow up.

Don't know if you are planning it or not, but owning a ball joint press has its advantages. I bought the cheep HF one. I haves used if more for u-joints, but I'm glad I got it for the ball joint job on my front end.
__________________
1969 C10 SWB 5.3L LS, 4l60e, 2/4 drop (In Progress)
2015 GMC 2500 Duramax (Daily Driver)
1999 Jeep TJ
2010 Harley Street Glide

Check Out My Build!: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617981
texasld is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 06:40 AM   #7
jcd9730
Registered User
 
jcd9730's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 263
Re: Ball joint removal

I couldn't get mine out. I just cut the ends of the pin off, and used a 2ft breaker bar and it wasn't a big deal at all. I spent more time trying to drive them out than I did just forcing it with a breaker bar haha.
__________________
Josh

72 C10, 350/2004r, Porter Steel Pacs, and 40+ years of leftovers from strange POs...
jcd9730 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 08:50 AM   #8
bigmac73
Senior Member
 
bigmac73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 1,275
Re: Ball joint removal

vice grips / hammer and some lube it is just a weak cotter pin
__________________
Mike
72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider.
421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall
Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks
bigmac73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 01:23 PM   #9
Sammy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Bonne Terre, Mo
Posts: 3,005
Re: Ball joint removal

Cotter pin extractor
Attached Images
 
__________________
'69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL"


"You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig."

ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"
Sammy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2015, 04:35 PM   #10
Longhorn 70
Registered User
 
Longhorn 70's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Chandler AZ
Posts: 1,149
Re: Ball joint removal

if the pins are that rusted, loosen the nut a couple of turns then drive on a bumpy road for a bit to break the tapers loose from the spindle.
__________________
1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11.
1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9
Longhorn 70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com