removing stock balljoints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

'68 longbed · 08-28-2007, 07:14 PM

i'm fixin' to freshen up the front end, and I'm thinking ball joints are a priority. I've done the air chisel approach before and seems to butcher the a-arms a bit. drill bits don't seem to quite handle the job either..

anyone have a good trick for removing the rivets?

scrapmetalart · 08-28-2007, 07:24 PM

your friend the 4" grinder. just be careful & grind the heads off...

cdowns · 08-28-2007, 07:41 PM

i like to use my 3" cutoff tool its quite a bit quicker and easier to get in with than a grinder

mvfd70 · 08-28-2007, 07:58 PM

I agree with the grinder. Grind the heads down flat, then take a punch and hammer and drive the rivets out.

'68 longbed · 08-28-2007, 09:11 PM

thanks all, I wasn't looking forward to the chisel again!

rick0312 · 08-28-2007, 09:26 PM

grinding worked for me!

OJOE · 08-28-2007, 09:35 PM

that will work on the upper ball joints. do you know how to replace the lower ?

glock35ipsc · 08-28-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OJOE

that will work on the upper ball joints. do you know how to replace the lower ?

Ball joint press, looks like a big C clamp.

rick0312 · 08-28-2007, 10:30 PM

i was able to nock the lower ball joints out with a large socket and BFH. I then went to autozone and purcahsed there bal joint press and then pressed the lowers in with no pproblem! If you didn't know.... Autozone has a tool lending program... you essentially purchase the tool and then return it for a full refund with no questions asked!

hemihead · 08-28-2007, 11:19 PM

Lower ball joints - remove lower a-arm and take to a shop. It is quick and easy with a hydraulic press and they can also press the new ones in at the same time. They can also let you know if the lower b-jt goes in to easy....this would indicate the hole for the ball joint is worn....found this on one of my '67's I worked on. Required a trip to the junk yard for a new lower a-arm.

67ChevyRedneck · 08-28-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick0312

i was able to nock the lower ball joints out with a large socket and BFH. I then went to autozone and purcahsed there bal joint press and then pressed the lowers in with no pproblem! If you didn't know.... Autozone has a tool lending program... you essentially purchase the tool and then return it for a full refund with no questions asked!

I've got their harmonic balancer install/removal tool right now, it's a cool deal.

08-28-2007, 07:14 PM	#1
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	removing stock balljoints i'm fixin' to freshen up the front end, and I'm thinking ball joints are a priority. I've done the air chisel approach before and seems to butcher the a-arms a bit. drill bits don't seem to quite handle the job either.. anyone have a good trick for removing the rivets? __________________ "spiiiider pig, spiiiiider pig, does whatever spiiiider pig does. "

08-28-2007, 07:24 PM	#2
scrapmetalart Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DAYTON Posts: 505	Re: removing stock balljoints your friend the 4" grinder. just be careful & grind the heads off... __________________ frontstreetcycle on Instagram

08-28-2007, 07:41 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: removing stock balljoints i like to use my 3" cutoff tool its quite a bit quicker and easier to get in with than a grinder __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-28-2007, 07:58 PM	#4
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: removing stock balljoints I agree with the grinder. Grind the heads down flat, then take a punch and hammer and drive the rivets out. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

08-28-2007, 09:11 PM	#5
'68 longbed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mississippi Posts: 181	Re: removing stock balljoints thanks all, I wasn't looking forward to the chisel again! __________________ "spiiiider pig, spiiiiider pig, does whatever spiiiider pig does. "

08-28-2007, 09:26 PM	#6
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: removing stock balljoints grinding worked for me!

08-28-2007, 09:35 PM	#7
OJOE Crew Cut Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MONTGOMERY,AL Posts: 757	Re: removing stock balljoints that will work on the upper ball joints. do you know how to replace the lower ? __________________ 85 SWB 1/2 TON CREWCAB/5.3 03 CHEV 3500 DURAMAX CREW CAB 85 CHEV SWB/TPI 06 CHEV TAHOE (WIFES) 30 MODEL A HOT ROD 07 HARLEY DAVIDSON BAGGER 09 STREET GLIDE AN D A LOT MORE JUNK

08-28-2007, 10:30 PM	#9
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: removing stock balljoints i was able to nock the lower ball joints out with a large socket and BFH. I then went to autozone and purcahsed there bal joint press and then pressed the lowers in with no pproblem! If you didn't know.... Autozone has a tool lending program... you essentially purchase the tool and then return it for a full refund with no questions asked!

08-28-2007, 11:19 PM	#10
hemihead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Estevan, Sask, Canada Posts: 185	Re: removing stock balljoints Lower ball joints - remove lower a-arm and take to a shop. It is quick and easy with a hydraulic press and they can also press the new ones in at the same time. They can also let you know if the lower b-jt goes in to easy....this would indicate the hole for the ball joint is worn....found this on one of my '67's I worked on. Required a trip to the junk yard for a new lower a-arm. __________________ 1967 SWB C-10, BBC 454, T400, 3.73 posi, 20" Coys 1972 K5 Blazer, SBC 400, 4 spd, 3.73, 6" lift, 35" mud grapplers 2011 Sierra Denali HD, 6.6 L Duramax, RBP 96R rims, leveled and Nitto trail grapplers, 2009 Acura MDX



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