Taking original rivets off of balljoint

[76L82]

With the help that you guys gave me, I was able to separate the lower balljoint from the steering knuckle...THANK YOU!!! WOW, what a job!!

I seem to have hit another snag, though. I have grinded the original rivets down to the a-arm surface (these are the rivet heads that are exposed on the 'outside ' of the a-arm...I have done nothing with the portion of the rivets that are 'inside' the a-arm). The lower and upper stud nuts are off and the steering knuckle is not pressed on anymore, the only thing holding the balljoint in its place has to be the very, very little material of the rivet that would still be left in the hole where the rivet goes through the a-arm; about the thinckness of the a-arm...however, the balljoint isn't coming off??? Is there a secret to this?? Of course the manual makes it sound like the minute the rivets are grinded down to the a-arm surface the thing is going to fall off into your hand!!

I tried drilling the rivets out but I must be using the wrong bits, as I went through 5 of them...even the 'titanium' ones you get at Home Depot. If drilling is the way to go, could someone give me some ideas on this. Or should I ream a pinch bar up in there and start yanking on it???

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[lucky76]

They won't just fall out. After you grind the head off smooth, take a punch and a hammer and hit each rivet. They should come out. This is how I've done it on other old Chevys. Haven't changed the ones on my 76 yet. They are original though and probably need changing. Some day...
Lucky

 

[vette-dude]

They won't just fall out. After you grind the head off smooth, take a punch and a hammer and hit each rivet. They should come out. This is how I've done it on other old Chevys. Haven't changed the ones on my 76 yet. They are original though and probably need changing. Some day...
Lucky

That's the correct procedure, drive them out. Your new ball joints should come with some grade 9 bolts to reinstall-reattach the new ball joint to the a-arms. Be sure you wear some safety glasses unless you want to become a pirate. Ar-g-g-g matey!!

Randy

 

[craig32]

I just did mine today, they aren't pleasant! As for the manual, if you grind them out the day after they were put in, they probably will fall right out. I used a centerpunch, 1/4" drill, then a drift punch. Oh, and a whole lotta swearin! I only used one bit, and it wasn't a great one. Go slow, and use good pressure - you don't need to go all the way through the rivet, just a little past the edge of the arm, then it will drive out. Good luck, if you don't already have it done.
Craig