Topic: correct installation of rivets in control arms

[Murf]

Is it possible to install rivets in the upper and lower control arms that look as if they are original?  The Ford rivets have a "knurled" look to one side of the rivet that looks as if they were struck with a meat tenderizer or some such tool.  Anyone come up with a home brewed tool that can duplicate this appearance?  The rivets are available but how does one go about duplicating the Ford process for peening?

[Sunlitgold68]

There's a few places that can do it. You could call Ken Bramblett in Indiana.... his # is 765-482-7069.

I can send you photos of how mine turned out.

[Murf]

Yes, I would love to see the photos of the redone arms. 

[CharlesTurner]

Keep in mind that there were at least 2 methods of pressing the rivets.  Some with the waffle pattern, some without.

[J_Speegle]

Here are a set that we stamped at Rare Parts In Stockton CA. Believe they remachined another "waffle" die after this as suggested

[thefordshow]

Had a local machine shop make this tool for me, works fine.

[cobra427]

With that tool, did you press them in or just pound them in?  I pounded mine in and used a chisel to make the marks, after looking at Jeff pics, I may redo mine...

[thefordshow]

A friend of mine has a press. I get the arms ready in the finish I want and give him the tool to use.

[astat1]

These are my originals that were restored by Ken Bramblett. I hesitated putting them on my car they looked so good.

[CharlesTurner]

Those control arms look nice.  Is that a C7OZ number on the boots?

Does anyone know if Ken can do the domed style pattern for the top of the rivets like used on the earlier cars?  Anyone have an e-mail address for him?

[astat1]

I don't think he had or used email when I had these done a couple years ago, strictly a phone guy. Yes they are C7 boots.

[Sunlitgold68]

I've got his phone # Charles if you want to call him. He did mine too and they look the same.

[blackjadeboss]

I am in the process of taking my 69 Boss 429 apart. The suspension appears to be original, and the rivets on the upprt ball joints is not waffled parterned.

Thoughts? They do appear to original.

[CharlesTurner]

Pics would probably help best to see exactly what you have.

[67gta289]

I'm now in the position of making the decision on how to proceed with my lower control arms.  Referring to the pictures below, I've got no waffles - I've got mushrooms.  Two completely different food groups.  The dust covers are marked as "LOWER  ED  C5OA-3A105-A" and it all smells original.  Both left and right side identical.  On the lower side, one rivet is untouched, the second was lightly scuffed, and the third was hit with some 120 grit.  These look pretty much like the ones in a previous post in this thread, no pattern.  But the top side is rounded like a mushroom, no waffling.

Has anyone seen these before?  Any idea where to get replacement ball joints and/or dust covers?  I looked at the Scott Drake model at NPD but the differences are too stark for my tastes (yet another food reference...must be time for dinner).

Thanks, John