Did Tie Rod Ends and Ball Joints-err, Ball Joint.

[White92Cutlass]

My 1993 Cutlass Convertible has to have ball joints and tie rod ends to pass inspection. I did the tie rod ends and driver's side ball joint without a problem. Ball joint on the passenger side had 4 thick rivets holding it on whereas the driver's side had four bolts. I broke 5 Black and Decker drill bits trying to drill the rivets out (I did get two of them drilled out). Picked up a Titanium drill bit tonight that I'm hoping will do the job. Any idea why GM would rivet ball joints in knowing that they would need replaced at some point??

[1990lumina]

Cheaper to manufacture

[19Cutlass94]

Your lucky these ones are riveted... some of the newer cars you have to replace the whole lower control arm to change the ball joint..

[AL]

Replacing the control arm is easier than pressing in a ball joint

[GOT2B GM]

I just use a grinder and knock the heads of the rivets off with that

[white4d96]

I just use a grinder and knock the heads of the rivets off with that

 

 

Easiest way to do it. It took me a couple days to do mine as well.

[BXX]

So glad that I own an air hammer:lol:

[White92Cutlass]

Yeah, I was wishing that I had a grinder or something else to use. The titanium drill bit was about as useless as the other drill bits. I ended up hammering a flat head screwdriver onto the side that had the rivets drilled out and prying down until I broke the ball joint off the car. I then used a hammer to knock the two broken rivets out. I will never use a drill in this situation again. Headed to the alignment shop tomorrow.