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Have original riveted ball joints, both sides, upper and lower on 63. Will be dissassembling steering and suspension during body off. Want to save ball joints and want to know how to protect them during blasting of control arms. Any experience? Assuming some grit has to find its way into the joint, how does one clean it out? Solvent flush or just keep pumping grease into and out of it until it is clear? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences.
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Re: Protecting Ball Joints
Rick,
When I did the control arms on my '65, I drilled out the rivets and removed the ball joints from the control arms. The upper ball joints were the originals.
I cleaned the upper bj's by hand and with a power wire brush. After the control arms were painted, I had the original upper ball joints and new lower bj's re-riveted.
I didn't see a way to protect the original bj's during control arm restoration. Instead of sand blasting, you might evaluate having the control arms shot peened. It leaves a nicer finish in my opinion.
Good luck with your '63.
Regards,
Gene -
Re: Protecting Ball Joints
I did this once and used duct tape to wrap the threaded stud & ball portion.
As long as the ball joint is clean, the tape will stick just fine. And, since
the tape absorbs the force of the shot, it won't come off. Just wash it all
very well before you remove the tape. The beads will destroy the ball joints
in no time if they get in there.
SteveComment
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