Last time i did my ball joints I didnt have a air hammer to knock the rivet heads off with, instead i used a drill and drilled them out. It was a pain in the butt, but i was so glad that i thought it was the last time i would have to do it as all replacements come with bolts. Well that truck has since bit the dust and i need to replace the ball joints on my new truck. So Im thinking i will use a air hammer this time with a chisel to knock the heads off then punch out the remaining rivet. the question is do yall think a cheapo air chisel from harbor freight will do it? or should i look at a used snap on or something? I dont know how strong of a hammer i will need to knock those off. Anyone have any experience doing this?

 

There are a couple of ways to make this ezer using a air chisel or a cold chisel.

1 Use a drill bit half the size of the rivet head and drill down just to the point you are level with the surface or just past, then use the air chisel.

2 Use a hack saw and cut a plus in the rivet head same depth like above, then use the air chisel.

Edit: Safety glasses are a great idea.

 

This method work very well for me. After you drill a hole usually the head will just "pop" off once you hit it with the air chisel. Then knock out the rest of the rivet with a punch & hammer OR get a punch for your air hammer....

 

man....... you 2wd guys got it easy to replace ball joints! wish my joints came out that easy. doing them on our jeep right now. disassembled everything last night. just gotta get a pickle fork to seperate the knuckle now.

 

It's not THAT easy. Without air tools those rivets are a B!TCH to get out.

 

what about an angle grinder?

 

I just used a hammer and a jack stand to remove all four ball joints. Pretty much the same method for re-install as well.

 

2wd is a bitch. Took me 10 hrs to replace all 4 last time using just a drill and bit.