[Hanks57]

Hi Guys, I searched previous posts to try to find info on removing upper ball joint but didn't have any luck. Bottom ball joints came out real easy, just removed the bolts. I remember a post several months ago where someone gave advice to go to a machine shop to get them pressed back in. I see the thin metal flange around it, crimped in different places( I assume this keeps it in there) but I don't want to go like a bull in a china store and break this metal flange in an attempt to remove the ball joint without asking for advice first. So, not fully understanding what I may getting my self into...should I attempt this myself OR do you just recommend that I buy the replacement ball joints and pay a machine shop with a press? I don't mind using a little elbow grease and getting dirty but the older I get, the more I try to figure in the aggravation factor, especially if I need special tools. Thank you for your advice!

 

[acardon]

Do you have original control arms? The original ball joints were rivited in. The new ones should come with bolts in place of the rivits. You may have to drill the holes slightly larger for the bolts. ......http://www.trifive.com/garage/56%20Chevy%20Assembly%20Manual/3-2.gif

 

[56Mark]

The ball joints were originally riveted on and your top ones may have never been changed. You will have to cut the rivets and the new ones will bolt in. There isn't anything that needs pressed.

The pressing comes in if you are changing the bushings on the pivot shaft.

Check out this link:

http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45205&page=2

 

[Gary Blake]

get some bolt in upper ball joints

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

BT.....The metal flange you see is the grease seal retainer....The originals had it and the Moog replacements have it:

Additionally, as the others have said: if the ball joints are original, they will be riviteted in, not bolted.

 

[Hanks57]

Great! That makes me feel a little better. Yes, they are the original A-arms. As far as cutting the rivets, do I drill out the rivets or try to grind the rivet tops off? What would be the best way to remove them? Thanks.

 

[Hanks57]

Thanks for that picture and info David!

 

[acardon]

Great! That makes me feel a little better. Yes, they are the original A-arms. As far as cutting the rivets, do I drill out the rivets or try to grind the rivet tops off? What would be the best way to remove them? Thanks.

Either way will work, just be careful if you grind them and not get into the control arm.

 

[icody]

The quicker of the two is to grind off the tops of the rivets and then using a punch (a little smaller diameter than the rivet), just punch them out. It goes pretty fast. All replacement Ball Joints bolt in.

 

[Hanks57]

Will do. Thanks for the tips and info guys.

 

[Rick_L]

If your uppers are tight, just leave them alone. Even lowers get replaced for no good reason sometimes. The uppers have less than 1/4 the load the lowers do, maybe less than they, they rarely wear out unless they've never been lubricated.