I need help, guys. 01 dak V8 4x2. Took wheel assy apart to change ball joints. Top bolted in; no problems there. But the lowers, OMG! Was told I could grind heads off the rivets and punch them out. NOPE! Ground heads off and proceeded to try a punch to get them out. Then tried to drill out. Then air chisel and air hammer. THEY WILL NOT COME OUT! I'm stuck at this point. Any ideas to get them out?

 

This is why i've ignored my lowers....Basically, the torch is your friend at that point.

 

I used a ball joint press and almost a full can of liquid wrench Deep penetrating lube with a breakerbar and 4 foot pipe for leverage. All together it took about two days for both sides

 

When I replaced my ball joints I found it was a lot easier to start by drilling a 3/16" hole clean through the rivets. Then I drilled progressively larger holes in the rivets, changing to a larger drill bit about 5 or 6 times until I got up to a 7/16" bit. Once I drilled it that big the rivet body fell out on my garage floor. The rivets are made of fairly tough steel. Cobalt bits worked best for me. I broke a few steel bits before trying my cobalt set. Had to buy the 7/16" cobalt bit at Home Depot. Take your time, be patient and use good drill bits and it will come apart.

Jimmy

 

I may have to give it another shot with cobalt bits. I tried all the bits I had. Only got about 1/8" down. Tough stuff.

 

The bottom rivets are very hard I purchased three new cobalt drill bits in two sizes took a few hours each side got cramps in my hands with all the pressure used to push the drill down. When the drill bit snags on you it almost rips the drill out of your hands.


Very hard work

 

This is why I paid to have mine done. Yes, it was expensive.

 

well well well. shades of the 1964 new yourker ball joints. thread in, 6 ft cheater, bent 3/4 slide tee bar. i have been trying to for get that.