You could just break them loose while the car is still on the ground... I don't know why nobody does it that way?? Not saying to completely take it off, just get past the stubborn part of breaking it loose...

 

Definitely an option and one that should be taken if remembered prior to pulling things apart! My suggestion was based on the assumption that they were trying to break it lose after having it all torn down.

 

Indeed and that is what I ended up doing. I popped the axle nut cap off the rim and placed the tire back on, dropped it and loosened the axle nut, lifter her back up again.

I couldn't believe after 12 years that the top joints were still riveted and had never been replaced after 250k+ miles. I shouldn't have been surprised though as the former owner was a mechanic and the blazer has extensive service records on it.

Anyways, it was my first go and the driver side took me a bit mainly because it was my first and the upper had completely broken off. Took me a few hours on the drivers side(first attempt at ball joints) and breezed through the passenger side no problem. It will be nice to know that no more rivets exist next time they are due for replacement.

Thank you for the help guys and between this thread and another thread on ball joint replacement it was a real breeze to be honest.

 

I had to have the ball joints replaced on my '99 4 door, they did both uppers and lowers and I paid just shy of $500. I thought that was reasonable because I have no tools or garage. I wondered how difficult it would have been to do it, how-to's are always helpful

 

Thanks guys getting ready to do this job and I am a little worried about it but I'm not going to spend the $2300 the shop wants. Wish me luck!