Topic: Riveting Arm Ball Joints

[TLea]

I?ve had to ?redo? a bunch of control arms that had rivets done with air hammer. Didn?t look close to original IMO

[dkknab]

It takes a peen that fits the rivet head and a very powerful air hammer. I only did it once, it worked but a lot can go wrong.

I've been reading up and watching videos on solid rivets,  bucking bars, and pneumatic rivet guns.

It seems the rivet gun needs to be strong.  They categorize them as 2x, 3x, etc. It seems 3x is suggested.  I have a Rockford CAJ-110 air hammer.  I don't know if it's a 1x, 2x, 3x, or what.  It appears to be the same as the central pneumatic air hammer 92037 you can get a harbor freight. I can't imagine it's very powerful given the price.  Is this sufficient you all think to do the job? 3x rivet guns are $300 plus.

As for the bucking bar, it seems that goes on the side of the rivet that is mashed to form the compressed head. That seems oppositewhat I saw in a video and what Marty is doing.  Thoughts?

[ruppstang]

David, you do not seem to be understanding that everyone here is not recommending that you try to do this yourself. As I said earlier it was really sketchy when I did it last. I have sent mine since then out to others who are set up to do it.

[dkknab]

David, you do not seem to be understanding that everyone here is not recommending that you try to do this yourself. As I said earlier it was really sketchy when I did it last. I have sent mine since then out to others who are set up to do it.

Yes I do and thank you.  I may try to install the rivets myself using hand tools but driving more than from trailer to field will probably be out of the question if I get anything that looks good.

Other the Marcus are there others possibly on the east coast that can do this?

[ruppstang]

TLea  who posted above does. If you were to sell the car, would you tell the next owner that the control arms are not safe for driving?

[dkknab]

TLea  who posted above does. If you were to sell the car, would you tell the next owner that the control arms are not safe for driving?

Point well taken.  The answer is of course yes I would but doesn't make sense just for esthetics.  Guess it may be time to find something else to work on. 

[ruppstang]

I can appreciate your desire to make your car as correct as possible. Since you show in Driven Concourse NPD's lower control arms should be adequate for that level of judging. Not to mention the difference in cost to restore originals.