Bad Ball Joints

I have a 2002 Intrigue with 90K on it and am in the process of R/R the ball joints. Has anyone had the joy of doing that from start to finish? The aftermarket replacement ball joint has larger holes and I'm thinking it is just best to buy the A-Arm with the ball joints in place from the dealer.. Holla with sum ideas PLZ
THX

The OE ball joint is riveted in place, as you may have noticed. The easiest solution ive always heard about, though never had to use, is to simply remove the entire control arm and then take it somewhere and have the ball joint removed, not sure what kind of place would be able to do that sort of thing. But I know its a popular method.

Then the replacement should be held in with a nut/bolt setup instead of rivets.

Im not understanding what youre saying about the ball joint having "bigger holes"

The factory manual shows the ball joint rivet heads being drilled out, then the remaining rivet knocked out with a punch, after the a-arm has been removed.

I don't understand how you know the ball joint holes are bigger on the new joint, when the old joints are still installed on the car?

When you go to bolt them back in make sure you use the bolts in the ball joint kit or buy them from the dealer. You want to be sure they have the necessary hardness needed for suspension parts.