AMC Eagle Den Forum
The Shop => Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: bilge rat on July 08, 2014, 08:43:46 PM
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Just discovered my upper ball joints are shot (84 eagle). The local parts shop had a pair in stock, so I;m a pretty happy guy. Ball joints are an easy replacement, but any specific tips or gremlins to watch for on the Eagle? BTW, the ball joints are the originals-riveted in. so they've been functional for 30 years. (If the new one last half as long, they'll probably outlast me by at least 5 years. :occasion14:
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Putting a short piece of two-by-four between the frame sill and the upper control arm before you start will help on reassembly.
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I used a right-angle die grinder to grind off the heads of the rivets. The "beheaded" rivets then can be punched out with a hammer and punch. Alternately, you can knock off the old rivet heads with a hammer and chisel, but that's a lot of hammering.
And Mernsy is right...place a hardwood...not pine; it won't hold...block between the frame rail and the upper a-arm before you jack up the car for easier assembly with new ball joints. :eagle:
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Grind off the old balljoint and not the arm so you don't damage it.
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Thanks for the tips, especially about the 2x4, that makes life easier. Job"s done, Here's the old ball joint- I'd like to thank both God and AMC for getting me home on my last drive.
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab90/jimspics09/020.jpg) (http://s852.photobucket.com/user/jimspics09/media/020.jpg.html)
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab90/jimspics09/019.jpg) (http://s852.photobucket.com/user/jimspics09/media/019.jpg.html)
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That is why it was designed this way. You had gravity on your side keeping it together