[71chevelless05]

So everything is ready for my disc brake conversion except i cannot remove my old upper ball joints to put the new in. I've groung the rivits down and tried using a punch and a BFH but they wont budge. also i cant remove my a-arm without taking the header off, which i dont want to do. I need some help/ideas/advice. thanks guys

 

[lhkustoms]

So everything is ready for my disc brake conversion except i cannot remove my old upper ball joints to put the new in. I've groung the rivits down and tried using a punch and a BFH but they wont budge. also i cant remove my a-arm without taking the header off, which i dont want to do. I need some help/ideas/advice. thanks guys

Do you have an air chisel with a blunt or pointed tip that usually works

 

[Jim Mac]

i usually drill a hole through the rivets, about 1/2 the thickness of the rivets, then hit it with a punch and a BFH.
I hate to even ask, but you do have the spindle seperated from the ball joint already and the spring isnt going to come loose and hurt someone correct? (just the safety guy talking). jim

 

[71chevelless05]

i usually drill a hole through the rivets, about 1/2 the thickness of the rivets, then hit it with a punch and a BFH.
I hate to even ask, but you do have the spindle seperated from the ball joint already and the spring isnt going to come loose and hurt someone correct? (just the safety guy talking). jim

yeah the spindles are out. i am pretty sure the spring cant com out. i still have the shock connected so the lower control arm cant get any lower. if i should do something about it let me know, i am only 20 and am learning s i go.

 

[71chevelless05]

i am borrowing an air chisel tmrw but now i have the problem of whether or not i have a big enough air compressor to use with it

 

[freerideAce]

yeah the spindles are out. i am pretty sure the spring cant com out. i still have the shock connected so the lower control arm cant get any lower. if i should do something about it let me know, i am only 20 and am learning s i go.

put a jack under the LCA and use that to support the weight of the car some...

picture stolen from the "PST Front End Kit install" thread:

 

[dpvoiceguy]

Unless your is one of those pancake-type compressors it should be fine...it just might run alot which is ok. But try drilling it first as suggested. I did this and it made a big difference. When The General installed those rivets they were a very tight fit and partially drilling them gives the rivet body the ability to collapse onto itself. Then you can grab your center punch and BFH and try again.
Good luck and wear safety glasses. :thumbsup:

 

[71chevelless05]

thanks for the help the air hammer worked and i had both sides out in a matter of 5 min. now i am just waiting for the rest of my brake kit to show up today

 

[OLDED]

Please tell us you have the lower A-arm fully supported or resting on a solid jack stand - we want you to keep all your teeth!