Quote:
Originally Posted by ghalperin
When I did my frame, I removed over 60 rivets. I have a Snap-On air hammer and used a new Snap-On chisel bit. It cuts the rivet heads off like butter. After cutting off the heads, I’d swap out the chisel bit for a punch bit and knock out the rivet. Easy peasy. Wear headphones and apologize to the neighbors afterwards.
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Sounds like a plan. As tempting as it is, I'm leaning toward keeping the frame rivets. I have to add a bolt though. GM missed one on a front bracket for the rear leaf springs.
Upper Ball Joints: Happy to say all the holes for the upper ball joints were done cleanly with a drill. I drilled through to 9/32", and the top plates to 19/164. Then I used a punch, which probably didn't do much. It was simple to remove the plate off with a pickle fork. Just traces of rivet left and simple to remove.
The holes are 3/8". A tight 3/8", but will tap easily. I figure the bolts for replacement ball joints are 3/8-16.
Lower ball Joints: I "rented" an Evertough ball joint press. As a disclosure, I don't know what the (*^ I'm doing. At any rate, I don't believe this tool works as intended, at least not for install that I can see, because the ball joint is too tall or the sleeve they provide is too tall, pick one.
However, I noticed the "pin" on the threaded rod of the tool pulls off, so I removed it. The ball joint stud then inserts into the threaded rod and will press out. Then I reinstalled the pin, and used a plate on top to remove the outer perimeter of the ball joint. It was very easy.................. Unless I'm missing something, there is no snap retainer ring with the original ball joints.