Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

[Ned T.]

How was the aluminum plug installed in the steering knuckle hole? Im thinking of pressing it in with a ball bearing to expand it and recess it at the same time. Is there another way to install it to get the original appearance?

[Ned T.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Does anyone have a picture of theres installed so I can see the finished look and try to duplicate it?

[Craig O.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Ned here is a few photos..... the head installs from the bottom. Craig

[Ned T.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Craig, thanks for the pictures. It doesnt look like they were after anything too "pretty" when they installed them, since that is what mine looked like when I took it out. I was thinking of using a ball bearing and pressing it in to get a uniform flare to it. The new rivet is longer than needed and was hoping to get it to flare out as it gets pressed in. The part is pretty cheap from Paragon so I guess I could try a few to get it right. I guess it could be just peened over to be "correct", but I just hate to make it look rough intentionally. Ill post a picture when I get mine installed.

Thanks, Ned

[John H.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

The original installation tool was essentially an overhead-suspended "C"-clamp with the movable element driven by an air cylinder; the fixed end had a flat anvil (that went against the flanged flat end of the rivet), and the movable element had a ball-shaped end, to flare the hollow end of the rivet. The frame was upside-down when the rivet was installed.

[Rich P.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Ned,

the easiest way to install these is to place a piece of flat bar stock or something equivelent in a vice and place the rivet into the rear hole and then place the flat end of the rivet onto the bar stock. Then take the round end of a ball peen hammer and place it in the hollow end of the rivet/plug. Then take another hammer and gently tap the ball peen hammer and the rivet will open up and lock in place.

BE VERY CARFULL TO WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN DOING THIS BECAUSE ANY TIME TWO HARDENED TOOLS ARE STRUCK TOGETHER THERE IS A CHANCE OF A SPLINTER FLYING OFF!!!!!

Hope this helps, Rich.

[Ned T.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Rich, Thanks for the idea. I like the ballpeen hammer idea alot. Mine are already installed on the car so I might have to use something else to support it while I tap it in. Im sure I can put a block of wood or a jack under it. Ill give it a try and see what I come up with. I was planning on pressing a ball bearing into it and let it flare it out but I dont think it would flair evenly, and I dont think a C clamp would sit on the ball bearing too well.

Thanks, Ned

[Rich P.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Ned,
place the floor jack uner the knuckle with a body dolly or a piece of metal flat stock to support the rivet. I'ts a no brainer. I have done that many times in the past.

Rich

[Ned T.]

Re: Steering Knuckle Aluminum Plug

Well it looks like Ill be ordering a few more rivets !!!! I tried to "push" the ball peen hammer into it but the rivet mushroomed out instead of in. It split in nice equal segments when it flared out though... I think the best way might be to use a tool that is the same diameter as the hole in the steering knuckle to keep the rivet contained within the opening. I was just trying to get a nice uniform shape with the rivet, but maybe Im expecting too much. I definately should have done this before it was on the car, but as usual I was in a hurry and I didnt get the rivets in time. Ill get it, it just might take a couple tries. Paragon has lots of rivets Im sure...