Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

While I'm doing the front brakes on my '65 chevy truck, I'm going to replace the upper and lower ball joints. The rubber on both is split. It appears the upper joint is held in with rivets. I figured I would grind them off flush with the top of the joint and then, drive the rest of it thru. Not shure how the lower ball joint is secured. Is it a press only fit? I don't see a retaining clip any where. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Did a search on the site and didn't really see much. Thanks in advance.

edit: I checked you tube and there were videos but, for some reason they wouldn't play

Spanky

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

When I did mine a little while back, I believe the lower ball joints were just press fit. The tops I used an air chisel to pop the heads of the rivets and then punched out the rest of it. The new upper ball joints should have bolts that replace the rivets. I don't know if this helps.

p.s. - wear ear protection if you have your head inside the fender well while you are hammering, grinding, or chiseling. I remember my ears hurting quite a bit after air chiseling with my head inside there. Probably wasn't the smartest idea :lol:

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

Yeah, that helps alot...I guess you use a pickle fork to get the lowers out...is that right?

Thanks,
Spanky

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

+1 on what drum king said. grind rivets off and the new ball joints come with bolts. i used a BFH to get the lowers out then used a big socket and a hammer to get the new ones in. i also had the lower control arms off the truck too.

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

It wasn't a pickle fork, but that probably will work. I believed we used some kind of ball joint puller that was powered by an impact wrench. And I'm pretty sure we used the same tool reversed to get the lower ball joint back in. That was in my highschool shop class, so I don't remember what the tool was called.

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

You can rent a ball joint press from your local AP store, makes the lowers a snap

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

I got the tops of the rivets ground off but, I'm having a hell:devil: of a hard time knocking them thru. Got three on one side about 1/8" down but, can't really seem to get a good swing on the hammer. Should I try to drill them out or, at least part way out? I have an air chisel but, don't think I have a bit that small. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,
Spanky

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

drill em

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

I did have an air chisel bit with a pointed tip...had the rivets out in about 2 minutes...piece of cake

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

There's talk that upper and lower ball joints are expensive for the 60-62.
Why couldn't we just replace our ball joints with newer model ball joints?

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

I've been looking at them and 60-62 is ~40 bucks, and 63+ is ~20. (From CPP)

Re: Replacing upper and lower ball joints
 

As said above, the parts stores (O'Reillys) will "loan" you a ball joint press, just leave a deposit.
The lowers press in and out, USE THE TOOL!