Lower Ball Joint Rivet Question

1999 Lumina
I need to replace the lower ball joint. The original one is installed by 4 rivets.
According to the factory service manual, you need to use 1/8 drill bit to open a pilot hole, then use a 1/2 bit to finish it.
Any one did this job before? Is the instruction works well? Any new idea or tips?

Thanks guys

Air chisel best way.

Your going to need a LOT of drill bits to drill out those rivets. Your best bet is going to be an air chisel, and a set of hearing protectors. If you don't have the compressor to handle the air chisel, a grinder with a few metal wheels is next in line.

The hearing protectors and the grinder can be bought at Harbor Freight for relativitaly cheap.

Good luck, and Gods speed.

Your going to need a LOT of drill bits to drill out those rivets. Your best bet is going to be an air chisel, and a set of hearing protectors. If you don't have the compressor to handle the air chisel, a grinder with a few metal wheels is next in line.

The hearing protectors and the grinder can be bought at Harbor Freight for relativitaly cheap.

Good luck, and Gods speed.
Don't scare me, bud.
By LOT OF, do you mean I need lot of different sizes, or it will consume lot of drill bit?
I do have a small compressor, but without air hammer or grinder. I bought an electric drill before, but never used.
Btw, I love HF tools too.

Your going to burn thru a lot of drill bits....PERIOD. Those rivets are no joke when it comes to drilling them out.

Your best bet is a grinder.

The new ball joint should come with nuts and bolts to bolt in place if the rivets. Use THREAD LOCKER on them.

Your going to burn thru a lot of drill bits....PERIOD. Those rivets are no joke when it comes to drilling them out.

Your best bet is a grinder.

The new ball joint should come with nuts and bolts to bolt in place if the rivets. Use THREAD LOCKER on them.

Have you done this before on Lumina? I think the location is pretty tricky. The space is too stricted for grinder.
Of cuz the new one uses bolt an nut. i am curious which son of bitch designed it like this:banghead:

17 years as an auto tech.

So yeah, I've done plenty.

17 years as an auto tech.

So yeah, I've done plenty.

Please help me:crying:

What I got: a small compressor from HFT, and a electric drill (without bits)
How can I remove it by less investment on new tools...

Please help me:crying:

What I got: a small compressor from HFT, and a electric drill (without bits)
How can I remove it by less investment on new tools...



Take it to a repair shop. That's about the extent of the help your going to get by limiting yourself to what you "WANT" to do by yourself.

Take it to a repair shop. That's about the extent of the help your going to get by limiting yourself to what you "WANT" to do by yourself.

I have removed the tie rod and ball joint, so not drivable now. Why I have to replace them, is because I ruined the thread by punch it out.
It's my first time working on suspension. A lession learnt. The good point is both tie rod and ball joint are pretty old, not obvious worn, rubber boots are bad.

Take it to a repair shop. That's about the extent of the help your going to get by limiting yourself to what you "WANT" to do by yourself.
I found a video that remove it by chisel, looks pretty straigt forward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f2_sx8wmwE