Ball Joint Rivet Installation
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Many of the replacement ball joints use bolts instead of rivets. If you are concerned about original appearance you will want to have the new joints riveted in but I don't think it's a do-it-yourself proposition. Those are pretty hefty rivets.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Solid steel rivets are set by hand as follows:
insert rivet through pieces ... hold pieces tightly together.
round head rivets should be supported with a rivet set.
Rivet set shown here ... for an air chisel ... but can be used with hammer, too. http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet62.htm
While supporting the rivet that is through the two pieces, the
straight shank of the rivet is struck with the flat surface of a ball pien hammer.
This causes the shank of the rivet to expand inside the holes.
Once tight, the ball end of the hammer is used to start forming
the rounded end.
Then, lastly - use another rivet set to finish forming the rounded
head and complete the rivet.
You should be able to find a machine shop that can do this for cheap money, but the rivet sets aren't too expensive either.
Good Luck
I'm with Rick ... I just used the bolts. Mine is the other kind of NCRS.
insert rivet through pieces ... hold pieces tightly together.
round head rivets should be supported with a rivet set.
Rivet set shown here ... for an air chisel ... but can be used with hammer, too. http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet62.htm
While supporting the rivet that is through the two pieces, the
straight shank of the rivet is struck with the flat surface of a ball pien hammer.
This causes the shank of the rivet to expand inside the holes.
Once tight, the ball end of the hammer is used to start forming
the rounded end.
Then, lastly - use another rivet set to finish forming the rounded
head and complete the rivet.
You should be able to find a machine shop that can do this for cheap money, but the rivet sets aren't too expensive either.
Good Luck
I'm with Rick ... I just used the bolts. Mine is the other kind of NCRS.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 4
From: Celeste Texas
Unless you are very qualified in the fine art of bucking rivets, use the bolts. Very few people will even know. I don't have my NCRS books here but I don't think it's much of a point deduction since it's a major safety item. A poorly set rivet will come apart and cause a lot of damage. Imagine your front wheels separating from the car while you are going around a corner with a little speed.
Bill
Bill
