A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967) - NCRS Discussion Boards

A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

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  • Dave C.
    Expired
    • March 20, 2014
    • 253

    A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

    Hey , I am just about to install all my new ball joints into my refinished a arms, and after much contemplation about attaching them, I have decided to go with the rivet looking bolts, rather than trying to rivet them as the factory did. I tried a couple of the bolts that came with the ball joints ( bought from Ecklers) and they seem too tight in the holes, there are no instructions, and I'm wondering if you are supposed to drill them out a bit. They start to go in , but I don't think I could hammer them through enough to get the nut started. I know when you use replacement ball joints you do drill them out for bolts, but I am not sure what to do, I would imagine you want them to be a very close tolerance.
  • Gene M.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • April 1, 1985
    • 4232

    #2
    Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

    Dave, If they are 5/16 thread then yes they are too big to fit the original A arm holes. Why may I ask do you want to use these weird bolts? Not for judging as it will not pass anyway. Suggest rivet them as original. More effort required but closer to correct assuming you have proper ball joints.

    Comment

    • Dave C.
      Expired
      • March 20, 2014
      • 253

      #3
      Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

      Gene, I researched the riveting, and it looks like a big hassle, you need the jig for the lowers and the concave tools for the heads, and I bet the factory had one big a#% air hammer to do it with. I was just thinking the bolts would be easy, and look original at least from the top. Have you done it?, do you have to heat the rivets to cherry red when you do it?

      Comment

      • Keith B.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • September 15, 2014
        • 1583

        #4
        Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

        My father and I have done it with no special tools. Just some ingenuity with a solid backing steel "buck" and a assortment of punches and hammers.

        Comment

        • Dave C.
          Expired
          • March 20, 2014
          • 253

          #5
          Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

          Kieth, did you have to heat the rivets ?

          Comment

          • Dave C.
            Expired
            • March 20, 2014
            • 253

            #6
            Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

            The worst part of this is that when I took the front suspension apart, all the original ball joints were in there, and as far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with them at all, but I ripped them out to refinish the arms and ordered "correct" ones from Ecklers, and now I'm wondering if I'm just replacing good quality American made ball joints with Chinese junk. I called Ecklers to ask where they are made , and they said " as far as they know they are made in the US.
            Attached Files

            Comment

            • Keith B.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • September 15, 2014
              • 1583

              #7
              Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

              We did not heat them at all. Are your ball joints made like originals with the tappered shaft. If so you bought the ones made by Americas Finest in CA. I have read mixed reviews on them. But on that note that is the brand we put on dads last car

              Comment

              • Larry M.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • January 1, 1992
                • 2693

                #8
                Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                Originally posted by Dave Cunningham (59778)
                Gene, I researched the riveting, and it looks like a big hassle, you need the jig for the lowers and the concave tools for the heads, and I bet the factory had one big a#% air hammer to do it with. I was just thinking the bolts would be easy, and look original at least from the top. Have you done it?, do you have to heat the rivets to cherry red when you do it?
                I know that Bair's does this rivet work. They mainly do it as part of their A-arm restorations, but perhaps will do it for you with you providing the components. You could call and inquire.

                Larry

                Comment

                • Tom D.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • September 30, 1981
                  • 2134

                  #9
                  Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                  Paragon will do them.
                  https://MichiganNCRS.org
                  Michigan Chapter
                  Tom Dingman

                  Comment

                  • Keith B.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • September 15, 2014
                    • 1583

                    #10
                    Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                    I am a little confused if you have the mechanically ability to remove the suspension components and other restoration jobs but can't handle setting rivets. It's not that hard to do it your self. It will take a couple sets of hands and a little thinking. But it can be done in a half hour.

                    Comment

                    • Gary J.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • April 1, 1980
                      • 1241

                      #11
                      Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                      You will have to do some research but there was an article in The Restorer some time ago about riveting them in.

                      Comment

                      • Joe L.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • February 1, 1988
                        • 43221

                        #12
                        Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                        Originally posted by Dave Cunningham (59778)
                        The worst part of this is that when I took the front suspension apart, all the original ball joints were in there, and as far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with them at all, but I ripped them out to refinish the arms and ordered "correct" ones from Ecklers, and now I'm wondering if I'm just replacing good quality American made ball joints with Chinese junk. I called Ecklers to ask where they are made , and they said " as far as they know they are made in the US.

                        Dave------


                        In general, the upper ball joints are "immortal". However, the lower ones are usually worn after high mileage. There really is no way to evaluate the fitness for continued service by physical inspection of the ball joints unless they are REALLY bad.
                        In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                        Comment

                        • Joe L.
                          Beyond Control Poster
                          • February 1, 1988
                          • 43221

                          #13
                          Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                          Originally posted by Keith Brodbeck (60464)
                          We did not heat them at all. Are your ball joints made like originals with the tappered shaft. If so you bought the ones made by Americas Finest in CA. I have read mixed reviews on them. But on that note that is the brand we put on dads last car

                          Keith------

                          As far as I know, the AFC-sourced ball joints are manufactured in China. However, they are supposedly manufactured by a company that is an OEM supplier.
                          In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                          Comment

                          • Keith B.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • September 15, 2014
                            • 1583

                            #14
                            Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                            Joe I do recall the box having made in China on them. What was odd to me the grease zerk is for decoration only and is not to be greased

                            Comment

                            • Dave C.
                              Expired
                              • March 20, 2014
                              • 253

                              #15
                              Re: A arm rivet bolts, ( 1967)

                              Ok guys thanks for the advise, I am going to try to rivet the top ball joints in, but the only problem with the lowers is that they did not come with the stock rivets, just those bolts. So if the top works out, maybe I'll order some lower ones.

                              Comment

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