So I took the blazer for inspection a few weeks ago and was told I needed rear brake pads, pitman arm, idler arm, and drivers side lower ball joint. About two weeks ago I replaced the rear pads, rotors, and passenger side caliper because it was sticking, last weekend I replaced the idler arm, pitman arm but didn't have time to put it all back together, so I got it back together this morning and was going to do the ball joints on both sides. I started with the drivers side and gave up, I ended up putting everything back together so I could drive it while my daily driver is in getting the timing belt changed.

So the problem I was having is a can't get the rivet heads off that hold the ball joint in place. From what I read online most people either air chisel or cold chisel them off. I don't have an air chisel so I spent about an hour cold chiseling and didn't make a dent in it. That's when I made the executive decision to throw it all back together so I could drive it before i hit the point of no return. Does anyone have any tips on how to get these out? Different tool to use? Any advice is welcome, thanks.

 

to hell with all of it...

get on rockauto.com and order complete control arms (new bushings and joints) for like 65 each.

 

Use a grinder.

 

^^ Yup, grind the rivet heads off flush with the ball joint, pry the joint off the rivets, and center punch 'em out. Piece of cake, 10 minutes tops, done.

 

grind it!!!!

 

I guess I have my answer.

 

I bought one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-an...der-60625.html to use at a job site, (without an air compressor) about 5 years ago for this exact job. Figured if it worked one time, it would be worth it. I can't tell you how many ball joints, I've used it on, (maybe 100 or more) and it still works great!

 

Great price and I only really need it for one time use. Thanks!

 

you can also drill them out, like I did