Correctly installing ball joint rivets

Murf_old · September 18, 2009 at 3:14 PM

Any suggestions for installing new rivets on the uper and lower control arms when replacing ball joints. The originals typically have a "knurled" pattern to one side of the rivet, and has a very distinct look that is seldom duplicated. AMK and other sources have the rivets , but how can the installed look of the originals be duplicated? Is there a tool available for this process? Has anyone been able to copy the look of the original rivets with a home made or commercial tool?

bigal_old · September 18, 2009 at 5:33 PM

call max at amk. he used to rebuild them. their is also a guy in indiana that charges 1500 bucks to do them, I have to try and dig up his name

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Any suggestions for installing new rivets on the uper and lower control arms when replacing ball joints. The originals typically have a "knurled" pattern to one side of the rivet, and has a very distinct look that is seldom duplicated. AMK and other sources have the rivets , but how can the installed look of the originals be duplicated? Is there a tool available for this process? Has anyone been able to copy the look of the original rivets with a home made or commercial tool?

J_Speegle_old · September 18, 2009 at 6:08 PM

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Any suggestions for installing new rivets on the uper and lower control arms when replacing ball joints. ...............Has anyone been able to copy the look of the original rivets with a home made or commercial tool?

No - have not been able to to do it at home. Would require machining a tool to reproduce the correct look of the finished product and a press big enough to compress the rivet safely/enough

Rare Parts in Stockton CA

DYNO17 · September 18, 2009 at 7:49 PM

I WILL LET YOU KNOW IN A FEW DAYS AS I WILL BE ABLE TO DO HOPEFULLY .EMAIL ME AND I WILL BE ABLE TO SEND PICS OF MY FIRST SET DONE K.WURSTER@COMCAST.NET

DYNO17 · September 26, 2009 at 11:50 AM

IF SOME ONE KNOWS HOW TO ADD PICS I WILL EMAIL YOU PICS TO POST THANK YOU KENYON

cobraboy · September 26, 2009 at 11:54 AM

Kenyons pics

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Edited by - cobraboy on 09/26/2009 12:14:37

CharlesTurner · September 26, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Friendly FYI... if the pink is applied to the ends, it was usually sprayed, not swiped. I have never seen this on factory control arms though, only on service replacements. Also, the whole end of the control arm was dipped, with the sleeve and caps installed.

cobraboy · September 28, 2009 at 3:01 AM

In the first and last pictures there is a tab sticking up from the spring perch. What purpose did this have and was it on all OEM perches ?

RalphJr · September 28, 2009 at 8:10 AM

The TAB on the spring perch is to keep the spring properly seated and prevent rotation.

C6ZZKGT · September 28, 2009 at 8:24 AM Official Post

To comtinue with Ralphs response, the tab is always there on any OEM original or any replacement spring perch.

-Fred-

cobraboy · September 28, 2009 at 9:16 AM

Thanks fellas

I looked at mine again, there is a tab, but looks shorter than the ones in the pic and how it comes off the platform is different.

Also the outer end of the platform on Kenyons has an outward curve to it, whereas mine have an inward curve, like a scallop out of the platform.

I was trying to find out if mine were OEM, assuming Kenyon would not go to the trouble of rebilding a repro part - mine are not the same,

as the bushes need replacing I will try to source some correct ones.

RPM_old · September 29, 2009 at 12:26 PM

So other then some question on paint being correct on the A-arm ball joint rivet looks GOOD.Guess the next question should be how much do you charge to do such a set,install ball joint that is?

DYNO17 · October 1, 2009 at 4:03 PM

Install upper ball joint. $45. per control Arm

Rivits $ 10.00 set of 8

Correct upper ball joint boot. $5.95 plus shipping C7OE#

Moog upper ball Joint $59.95 ea

Moog upper control arm bushing kit $49.95

Restore upper control arm ( depending on servicability) $200.Less parts.[ KEEP IN MIND SOME ARE JUST WORE OUT ]

I think this is resonable pricing.

I guess if a person were sending me a set all ready to go less installing owner supplied Moog ball Joints it would cost $100. to get them rivited in. That is of course less shipping back to owner. FEEL FREE TO CALL Bill @ 1-217-498-6945

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