i like the angle grinder i just gotta figure out a way to get up there and get it while my truck is down. the guy at autozone told me the Dremel would work fine those rivets look like tough customers though lol ill figure it out

 

alright i was able to borrow an angle grinder from my boss at work and i grinded off the heads on the ball joint but it wont budge. which side am i supposed to grind off? i did the top of the lower control arm

 

Tops of both joints. Use a center punch, (one with a good point) and put a dimple as close as you can to the center of each rivet. Use a 1/8" drill bit and drill into each rivet about 1/4". Use a drift, (center punch without a point) and pound the rivets out. The center punch dimple will keep the drill bit from walking. The 1/8" hole will allow the rivet to contract when you use the drift. Couple of good whacks with a BFH is all it'll take.

 

thanks bro you saved the day got it out and new one in put it all back together took her for a drive no clunk at all quiet even brakes better. now i can say i have replaced ball joints lol

 

Good job, glad you got her. Not much to it when you know the tricks You really don't need to remove the knuckle to do the upper ball joints. Just grind the rivet heads off, drill 'em and knock 'em out. For the lower, it gives you more room if you remove the knuckle, but, you have to support the lower control arm with a jack so that when you whack the rivets, the control arm is solid.

 

thanks i skipped on the upper for now since it was pretty firm still and if i need to do it i know how to do it now. as for the other side the PO replaced both of them so when that time comes it will be even easier. good thing about these older vehicles people worked on them in the past lol