Does anyone know how to install rivets in the upper front control arms to hold the ball joints in? I would like to use rivets rather then the bolts supplied by Moog. Thanks
http://www.leverfamilysite.com/1970_SS_El_Camino.htm

I'll tell you what, those are pretty critical rivets, and to the best of my knowledge, they don't rate rivets like they do bolts, i.e. "grade 8", etc.

If I were you, I'd use the bolts.

But to just answer your question, NO, I don't know how. Maybe someone in the restoration section has done this with rivets that are up to the task, might try there if you don't get an adequate response here.

ss70,
go to a corvette forum and asked how it's done.
i have never seen them for A bodies.
they are available for corvette.

david

I have done them on midyear corvettes. First you make sure the rivet will fit through the balljoint and control arm. On some vehicle I had to open up the hole a little.

We set the rivet face up and heat it with a torch until they are red hot. With needle nose plyers quickly force the hot rivet into the control arm. while you hold the control arm forcing the rivet in, have another person with an impact chisel with the proper attachment smacsh it down

Brian

I have done them on midyear corvettes. First you make sure the rivet will fit through the balljoint and control arm. On some vehicle I had to open up the hole a little.

We set the rivet face up and heat it with a torch until they are red hot. With needle nose plyers quickly force the hot rivet into the control arm. while you hold the control arm forcing the rivet in, have another person with an impact chisel with the proper attachment smacsh it down

Brian
What I thought I would do is bolt the ball joint in using three bolts leaving one hole open, and then follow the procedure you laid out. My concern is the rivet cooling off before I can pean over the head, and holding the rivet in place (tight) while "smashing" the head. I thought off putting a big punch in the vise. Set the bottom of the rivet on the punch, and smashing the head. A lot of things to balance. I think I will try with a scrap arm first. Any idea where to get the rivets?

here's some for a camaro...
http://www.vintageagain.com/product_info.php/products_id/1362

david

here's some for a camaro...
http://www.vintageagain.com/product_info.php/products_id/1362

david
I think they are the same ball joint but not the same arm. Thanks. I will check into it. If nothing else they will be good for practice.

I saw some for Corvettes that were bolts but had the appearance of rivets. I looked and can't find them again yet :(

here's what chevry is talking about...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-1963-1982-Corvette-Lower-Ball-Joint-Rivet-1-pair_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33580QQitemZ803209 9665QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

david

here's what chevry is talking about...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-1963-1982-Corvette-Lower-Ball-Joint-Rivet-1-pair_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33580QQitemZ803209 9665QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

david
I purchased the rivet bolts in the link you sent just to see what they look like. Thanks

Heck, I figure you can cold head set them using a big set and a 5 pound hammer real fast!!

The trick would be to use a long back-up set held by a big "post vice" like an old time Blacksmith Shop should have AND then talk a Buddy into holding the A-arm tight securely as you whack h-ll outta the top set using the 5 pound hammer!

My Blacksmith Buddy I knew as a kid could do this in a heartbeat b/c I have seen him set rivets like this before!

pdq67

Heck, I figure you can cold head set them using a big set and a 5 pound hammer real fast!!

The trick would be to use a long back-up set held by a big "post vice" like an old time Blacksmith Shop should have AND then talk a Buddy into holding the A-arm tight securely as you whack h-ll outta the top set using the 5 pound hammer!

My Blacksmith Buddy I knew as a kid could do this in a heartbeat b/c I have seen him set rivets like this before!

pdq67
As with everthing, tools and skill is everthing. I think I have the tools, I have never done this before so I know I do not have the skill. I have plenty of scrape upper control arms to practice on. I am just trying to avoid / learn from other peoples mistakes / attemps / success. Thanks

I used to have faith in myself that I could use a 5 pound hammer and do this, but now, in my now old age, I don't know if I could do it like I could when I was a kid or not!

I have held a big cold-cut in my hand and whacked away at it using a 3 pound Blacksmith hammer many, many times back then AND never thought a thing about hitting my hand....

But now, I donno...

pdq67

Go to Ground Up http://www.ss396.com Part DRVT-33. Page 53 in my book. Just $8.95 and GM correct.

Hope this helps.

Heck, I figure you can cold head set them using a big set and a 5 pound hammer real fast!!

The trick would be to use a long back-up set held by a big "post vice" like an old time Blacksmith Shop should have AND then talk a Buddy into holding the A-arm tight securely as you whack h-ll outta the top set using the 5 pound hammer!

My Blacksmith Buddy I knew as a kid could do this in a heartbeat b/c I have seen him set rivets like this before!

pdq67

Be careful. Some rivets are made to be bucked cold, others must be bucked in a heated state. (Bucking is the correct term for flattening the tail of a rivet.) You don't want to try to buck a rivet cold that's supposed to be bucked when hot, and vice versa.

In aircraft manufacturing, there are aluminum rivets that have to be bucked after being chilled to below freezing, around zero degrees farrenheit. Those are called icebox rivets in industry jargon. If you try to buck them at room temperature, they'll just shatter.

So be very mindful of the proper procedure for bucking rivets.

Be careful. Some rivets are made to be bucked cold, others must be bucked in a heated state. (Bucking is the correct term for flattening the tail of a rivet.) You don't want to try to buck a rivet cold that's supposed to be bucked when hot, and vice versa.

In aircraft manufacturing, there are aluminum rivets that have to be bucked after being chilled to below freezing, around zero degrees farrenheit. Those are called icebox rivets in industry jargon. If you try to buck them at room temperature, they'll just shatter.

So be very mindful of the proper procedure for bucking rivets.
For something that I though would be a simple thing, this is becoming complicated. I still want to try it though. Thanks