| C4 Corvette Chassis |
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| 1957 Corvette RestoMod Project - Page 7 Ball Joints and New Friends The C4 Corvette is a marvel of machinery. First produced in production year 1984, the C4 was a completely new approach to the American sports car by GM. The C3 era had lasted since 1968 and the chassis needed an upgrade. Enter the C4. In this edition of my Resto-Rod build, the lower ball joints on the front lower control arms have posed a problem. Most old mechanics will tell you "just take a hammer and a socket and bang the damn thing out of the control arm". On the C4's aluminum control arm this is WRONG! As you will see on later pages, I eventually bought a small shop press for these type jobs. It may have been the single best tool purchase in the whole project. I not only was able to press out ball joints, but also bushings and bearings. But without a press, this is definitely one of those areas where you need a machine shop's assistance. I focused my search on those shops that specialize in the Corvette. |
| After three tries to press (more like a push) out the lower ball joints, I surrendered to my last resort. I say last resort because this project is going to be completed with as little assistance from restoration professionals as possible. I want to show YOU, the novice just like me, how to build your dream C1 Corvette Resto-Rod. Now I'm not stupid or naive to the point of believing that I could do all the work. Suffice it to say, I want to limit the amount of outside help I receive. And for two very good reasons - to save money and to learn the crafts myself. Kind of a renaissance man approach (no giggling please). |
| If you're scratching your head wondering what a lower ball joint is, and where is it located, well just look to your right. Pictured here still on the chassis, the lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm (bottom). The top of the ball joint has a stud that protrudes through the steering knuckle. It is secured with a washer, nut, and cotter pin (center). The PowerBilt puller kit mentioned on the previous page was used to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. But now, I need to press the ball joint completely out of the lower control arm. Unfortunately, a machine press with correct adapters is the only thing that will work here. DON'T EVER USE A HAMMER TO EXTRACT THESE BALL JOINTS. You will probably damage the control arm - and you don't want to buy one of these - EXPENSIVE!! |
| A quick search on the Internet resulted in my finding a shop that would help me. I purchased the new lower and upper ball joints from JEGS online with no trouble. The ball joints are made by Moog, a very trusted name in aftermarket automotive suspension parts. As you will see later, I purchased a small shop press - it's small by professional shop standards, only 12 ton. Most machine shops have at least a 20 ton press. If you do this yourself, you will also need a ball joint kit, which runs over $200 for a good one. Or, you may be able to rent a ball joint kit - just make sure you rent one with the correct sized dies for the C4 ball joints. |
| At left, the top of the control arm shows how the new Moog ball joint looks after correctly pressed into place. At right, the bottom of the ball joint. Notice how the outer flange of the ball joint is seated all the way down to the arm. Only the pressure of a hydraulic press can produce enough force without damaging the control arm. |
| When I first arrived at the shop, the owner quickly inspected my lower control arms. Using pieces from a couple of ball joint service kits, he went to work removing my old ball joints. The first piece to pop out was the center stud. Then he pressed out the outer flange. Next, he pressed in the new Moog ball joints (seen above installed). In all, it took about 15 minutes. |
| As an amateur, it's reassuring to know there are knowledgeable and accomplished professionals out there. In case I get stuck, I can always receive qualified help from these guys. But again, the main reason I'm doing this project is to say I built the car. Then to enjoy the fruits of my labor by driving the daylights out of it. See Chapter 5 of my new book for all the details on how to replace bushings and ball joints. |
1957 Corvette RestoMod