Upper ball joint replacemet

[bilge rat]

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.

[Mernsy]

Putting a short piece of two-by-four between the frame sill and the upper control arm before you start will help on reassembly.

[eaglebeek]

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.

[carnuck]

Grind off the old balljoint and not the arm so you don't damage it.

[bilge rat]

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.

[carnuck]

That is why it was designed this way. You had gravity on your side keeping it together