3 Ways to Remove Ball Joint Rivets!

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@SirPractical]

An old timer on youtube mentioned to drill slow and push hard when drilling metal. That way the tip doesn't overheat. Should be strands of metal coming off vs small flakes.

[@richardposey2452]

Hello Andy, you have been much help in the past. Today I replaced the front wheel bearing on a 2014 Traverse when I noticed the riveted ball joints. I don't have an air chisel but I put it on my shopping list. Many thanks.

[@pauld7309]

I did a 2003 Michigan Astro AWD lower B. J. & I tried everything , heat, air hammer, after the head was removed. Wouldn't budge, So had to drill all 4 out.what a PITA. The videos I watch those vehicles aren't in the rust belt with 200,000 miles on them. Because the Rivets just don't pop out with a couple taps from a ballpean & punch!! Big job here in the rust belt!! Lol

[@williamskelton6751]

Slow the drill RPM and the BIT may just cut more aggressively

[@robertmcintyre9514]

Drill speed is far to fast

[@JeffMTX]

and start with a small bit

[@trooperx36]

God I hate rivets with a passion

[@marvinlewis5591]

Unless you are crossing a victoria bridge. Then we lov rivets.

[@bjohnsonsv]

#3 looks like the winner. So glad I found this video. I will use the x and airhammer method. I have a 1972 Revcon RV that uses Oldsmobile Tornonado suspension with the 3 hole upper ball joints.

[@Alpha-309]

Thank goodness I found you guys , ordered from you guys couple days and having a hell on earth with rivets , will try this methods tomorrow.thanks

[@1AAuto]

+Pochi Veloz Thanks for the feedback!

[@cornelieusfields2062]

If all you have is a drill you don't want to go larger than that hole you drill down to the center you know how far you have to go you can tape it off on the drill if you want to I should say drill bit then when you get down far enough you take a cold chisel flat chisel and a hammer and clip the head right off it's going to come right off. It's a lot easier. It's just like when you put the X's on the head and cut it off with a chisel air chisel. You're just drilling through the top and you're just cutting off the ring. And it's going to be a clean cut

[@lawrencepellegrini2687]

Nice and informative showing several removal methods, now I will jump on my little headache, thanks for the help !

[@gimlithe1odd19]

Why not use a angle grinder and just grind the head off? Or is the cutting wheel faster?

[@MrTaxiRob]

Never use a drill bit that's bigger than the hole in the control arm. Check the size of the bolt hole in your new ball joint as a reference. Be patient, keep your bit centered, and keep it oiled. Best method to limit damage to the arm.

[@cornelieusfields2062]

You're correct on that once you drill down so far to the point where you know you you went through the head the top part of that rivet. You can cut the rest off with the chisel and Hammer. It's not right off

[@matthewroot3939]

These are supposed to be DYI videos,but your showing how to do it on a shop lift. How many people have one of those. I know I'm doing it on the ground and have to go from the top which a few parts had to be removed to get to them.

[@abklhayy844]

I only got an electric drill, my car is parked on outside private park, so no chance to got a pneumatic tools xD i will try with my drill, only way

[@oakcliffpride]

Die grinding an X and an air hammer is the way to go to chisel away rivet bottom and to drive it out . I have also found that brake cleaner while drilling cools of the bit way better than anything else !! 27 years as diesel mechanic I’ve drilled thru 5/8 studs on hubs , frozen king pin draw keys that other mechanics could not get out !! Some of proudest moments as a mechanic!!

[@1AAuto]

+@oakcliffpride Thanks for the feedback!

[@lubacotemobile]

Excellent video and explanation!

[@tomadamson2708]

I was laughing my butt off watching this guy burn up about 5 drill bits🤣 When drilling apply pressure and drill slowly, you'll see the metal shavings come out like curly fries. If it starts smoking and squeaking like that you've just ruined your bit,

[@pharmdog1]

Thank you lord baby jesus for this video! Love your videos and I will buy parts from you because of this!

[@jaimejay6056]

Theres a crack in that lower control arm within the left hole you drilled out. Will that be an issue later?

[@keepingdistance4404]

That's a metal shaving from drilling. It's stuck in the lubricant.

[@murb2586]

rivets= one of the many proofs that engineers hate mechanics

[@AstroVanTribe]

I don't have an air hammer - I'm a wood worker and do a lot of my own work - I think I'll try cutting the "X" then using a drill bit - That should be pretty quick I have a 2004 AWD Astro Van - Of course I'll also be on my back... Thanks for this video, though - Good stuff

[@1AAuto]

+MIchael Zicopoulos Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@seabeeeff]

I don't have an air hammer either. I make hats for dogs.

[@MrDausen]

Thanks for the video, you made the task look easy.

[@albertoascari2542]

Nice simple clear video and instructions. I've seen a few hack jobs and this is nice and simple and clear no messing. Thanks

[@hed_sh0tz__638]

Awesome video!! I'll be trying the grinder method.. Thank you💯💯💯

[@1AAuto]

+HeD_sh0tz__ Brian Ables Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@frontporchswingin1359]

Your company is great!

[@1AAuto]

+Front Porch Swingin' Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@user-gn5uy6lx7z]

I don't know what design idiot used rivets instead of bolts but I have the same problem with my 1999 Dodge Dakota . As you can imagine the whole front end needs replaced. I bought a new kit that gives me everything I need to upgrade my truck. I don't have a lift like you have so I actually have to work on the rivets from the top side. I'm not a mechanic by any means but I have to do this because I don't have the extra couple thousand to get it done. Great video and I'm going to score the top, then cut it off and if need be do some light grinding to get them out. Wish me luck

[@jarrettnicholson5675]

I can’t get the rivets out. I’ve been beating on them for a day. Ended up taking the controller arm off and still can get the rivets out

[@jez9633]

Cheers Buddy great expert advice & put together video👍

[@richardd8352]

Great! I gotta do this job at the weekend. Lmao at the first method!! 20 blunt drill bits later Vs high tensile steel rivets 😂 defo won't be using that method. I've only got a grinder, with thin cutting discs, I think I'm gunna go with the cross method. Thankfully I got a very steady hand. This is why mechanics just change the whole control arm. I will do the ball joints however.

[@richardd8352]

I done it. Access was tricky on my car on the ground so I removed the bottom arm to change ball joint on worktop. As it turns out the steel rivets are surprisingly soft, i used the cross method then went straight to large drill bit - no issues blunting drill bits, bit of light oil on drill bits helps. Once drilled chiseled off and punched out. I was surprised how easy to remove . Only down side is adds labour time. What I thought would normally be an hour was three hours 😂 some great tips, personally recommend the cross method, followed by large drill bit and then chisel of some kind. Make sure u chisel and drill off the rivet around the circumference so it punches out ok. But all in all pretty easy job, thought those rivets would be a b*+*ch. The superior tensile strength of nuts and bolts coupled with ease of maintenance - I gotta ask why the f+*k even use rivets!??

[@crpth1]

​@@richardd8352 - "I gotta ask why the f+*k even use rivets!??" Well the answer is cynically simple. Money! Fabrication is quicker (money), the rivets are cheaper than the corresponding bolts, washer and nuts (money). AND let's not forget when the time comes to change. Many opt by replacing the entire assembly. Which cost a lot more MONEY! All in all, you can notice that all the money talk, goes in a single direction! The direction of YOUR money. Component fabricators, car manufacturer, workshop, dealer. They all end up benefiting, you on the other hand... LOL 😂 Notice if you can save $1 in a certain component. When you multiply that by let's say 10 million units. Which is a reasonable number for car components! Suddenly you just "cash in" $10millions! Welcome to "modern" vehicles! ;-)

[@tonypetty7540]

Thanks the video was helpful 👍👍👍👍👍

[@mini_special]

Always a pleasure to see a video from Andy! Many thanks for doing these.

[@jdoginc]

Ive never seen these guys have an issue with anything like theyre having with thesr rivets

[@DCSPORTSTER]

Good video I just air chisel the rivet off and user an air chisel punch to remove the rivet.

[@kevinnelson7070]

What type of drill bits are you using?

[@JacobEcret]

Looks like carbide

[@BACK2LIFE29]

This worked great for me today!! I used the x method

[@MacAutoDiag]

A well needed video

[@robertthayer5779]

Angle grinder. Final Answer .

[@Tay58382]

Thanks for showing them that have no business trying to do this job the proper way not to waist time.

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

Thank You 1A Auto :))

[@kraziek316]

Hate this design. Man! Ball joints aren't a hard job but this.... Wow!

[@TheSubpremeState]

There's a stepped up drill bit. Looks like a cone. Great invention

[@OmegaPrime76]

Chisel method is best

[@photoman2004]

Very helpful thanks!

[@MACHADOLuizAUGUSTO]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing

[@1AAuto]

+Luiz Machado Thanks for checking us out!

[@Jim-ej8hz]

Very good video .

[@famosisimo]

Thanks so much for the great ideas...getting ready to work on mine.

[@hadesian1103]

Yea... we replacing the whole control arm in the shop. Great video!

[@1AAuto]

+Hades Ian Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@ricosuave3497]

Could I use a gringing rock instead of the cutting wheel? I feel like it would be faster and safer as the cutting will can explode if not careful enough.

[@BostonBrand85]

you can as long as you don't remove too much metal from the arm. His first method is what I'm planning on doing since its faster IMO.

[@ekztal]

So, I had my Acadia in the shop and they said the ball joints were going bad. I ordered replacements, lower ball joints... but there was also "Upper ball joint" but it looked like the whole control arm and i didn't see anythign that looked like a ball joint on it. Is upper ball joint a misnomer on my 2008 Acadia? The only 'ball joint' I see is the one you removed in this video.

[@wesley2539]

On newer Acadia's the "upper ball joint" is just the McPherson strut. Lower ball joint is an actual ball joint. Im sure 2008 models are similar.

[@acejanitorialservices6559]

Is there a certain type drill bit I should use? Maybe a drill bit to withstand high heat?

[@danmarley2926]

Any brand

[@crpth1]

@@danmarley2926 - Yep, pretty much any drill bit made for steel... The real trick is low speed. Not like in the video. ;-)

[@romegeorgiamanshannongeorg7413]

Nice Video. Very helpful.. Big hat tip to you.

[@brianhartman3186]

Huge help, thank you!!

[@acejanitorialservices6559]

Will I still need to use a pickle fork to remove the ball joint stud from the spindle? Or can I just give it a good whack with a hammer?

[@1AAuto]

+Ace Janitorial Services Hello, it may depend on how stuck the ball joints are, often using a hammer will work to remove the ball joint. +1A Auto

[@MrTaxiRob]

You can always whack it off if you really want to

[@albertrivera5443]

Can you go top down ? With the drill option

[@MihulTudor]

man, you just cracket the control arm seriously :DDD

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Use autocenter punch then a small drillbit

[@michaelwoods3850]

If the factory used bolts, this would take 5mins

[@TheUndertoe]

That’s why when you get new ones they give you bolts instead

[@Logistican518]

I have the ball joint out. How in the world does it go back in? Everything is lined up, but it won't "press in" all the way. Using a jack on it just moves the entire assembly. 96 Buick Century tia

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

After watching it, I like the 3rd method best, then 1st method followed by 2nd method.

[@pfsantos007]

Great video and comments below.

[@cornelieusfields2062]

When you drill down through the center you can use one drill bit drill down till you know you're down there to the frame the smaller drill bit that you use you can step it up and use the larger drill bit. But all you have to do after that is take a chisel flat chisel and cut the head off it comes right off. I did too many of them but just a drill a hammer and a chisel. Make sure it work it at you don't have to change the drill bit that many times

[@waynesanders1406]

Cutting wheel and muscle-chisel, got it.

[@robertsobek6177]

thankyou for the vid.

[@toolboxman9960]

Looks very similar to Chevy Equinox crap. Wait until you install the OEM ball joint replacement. What a BRILLIANT design by General Motors. If anyone does one. By the entire control arm assembly..

[@MacAutoDiag]

Almost all makes have been using rivets for quite some time now.

[@crpth1]

@@MacAutoDiag - You mean "almost all" Americans makes! It's rather shocking to see the direction they're taking in the past decades. And to top it of, the consumer in there is totally clueless of the "crap" that as been thrown on their laps! To the point of thinking it's "normal"! All my "French cars", for the moment I have 2xPeugeot, 1xCitroen, 1xRenault (van) and 1xToyota (made in Japan), also make to the list! LOL 😂 That's in exactly NONE of them! Basic bolts and nuts. On the latest Peugeot/Citroen, for example, the ball joint is screwed directly. Which is even simpler! On the normal, basic and simple everyday cars American brands, in all honesty, are making "crap" for too long. If it wasn't for the power of marketing, self protection laws and playing in they're own turf. They would be dead and buried! Japanese makers seem to have stopped in time! Goodness grace, Toyota, Honda, etc. still use castellated nuts and split pins, geez! Ex. ALL French, Italian and German brands use self locking nuts for ages! ;-)

[@DSMattitude]

I air chisel the heads off without cutting the x in the end. Then I hit under the other side with the air chisel to pop the rivet out.

[@1AAuto]

+DSMattitude Thanks for the feedback!

[@patrickherriman8019]

Was it easy to air chisel the rivets out?

[@bioshock1778]

Thank you.

[@zidaljperez3001]

I wouldn’t use the first method. I did on the driver side And it took me over a couple hours. Plus I didn’t have much room to work, unlike this guy with the nice lift. I still gotta do it all again because I bought a faulty part from Oreilly’s. Gonna use the second method for the passenger side for sure.

[@rahrah8076]

Use a HSS drill bit..they will drill threw it easy

[@NyshaSlager]

My fiance said using a step drill bit was the perfect solution!

[@music-cafe-4-you]

Great job💪👍

[@1AAuto]

+EL Didi Lee Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@rokitman5753]

the dtill is turning much to fast

[@edp8218]

Cool thanks

[@bioshock1778]

Who else fkin hates the rivets?

[@rbarr1200]

Loved this.

[@1AAuto]

+Rbarr Thanks for the feedback!

[@eternalfire2234]

Air hammer for faster results.

[@1AAuto]

+Eternal Fire Thanks for the feedback!

[@marvinlewis5591]

Just get a full control arm with ball joint attached. Too much work drilling those.

[@kaiserc1705]

You got an easy one. On 4wd trucks could take hours. Good job though.

[@1AAuto]

+Kaiser C Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@JacobEcret]

Nah, I’ve done them on my 4wd. Takes about half an hour

[@thestig1899]

Do you need an alignment after ?

[@GrandPrix46]

No, not just for ball joints. Most vehicles if you replace the upper control arm you'll need one, though.

[@SupervisorMartinez]

The drilling method put a crack in it @4:14

[@santoazusa]

Han one use a normal chisel?

[@brianjones2070]

I'm a Master mechanic and why did he not just use his air hammer once they were ground down it works for me every time

[@peterl2017]

Once I learned the X cut method I never looked back.

[@joeyknoewy]

Could've used a pickle fork to separate the control arm

[@stevooliver3877]

Best advice is replacing pretty much everything when the ball joint goes out..it would already cause damage to the hub,tie rod,control arm bushings & cv axle boots (easy to fix) since the main indicator are ball joints the rest will follow..if you done each thing periodically you spend $500 extra on front end alignments..the small shops even have to send the cars to shops with a alignment machine

[@briangardner7664]

Slow speed down on the drill alot!! You torched the end of those drill bits, that steel is soft enough You can just bump the drill and only move at half speed and you will pull giant single piece spirals of the metal, metal is way softer than you think no need for high pressure or speed and yr bits will last for ever, done right tip of the bit never even get too hot to touch

[@samuelramirez212]

Exelent

[@DukeSky]

Ok I averaged 3 beers per rivet..

[@WeRanyone714]

I started mind and it's been a nightmare

[@danemx5]

Noice. Thanks!

[@1AAuto]

+Dane F. Thanks for checking us out. Shop here for high quality auto parts: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@martingarza3383]

👍

[@1AAuto]

+Martin Garza Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@raypigeon7448]

Slow that drill

[@shadowopsairman1583]

This dude needs a larger punch and Thor's hammer

[@JoseGuzman-nr9fk]

Dril is not a option

[@billhamilton2366]

You clearly have no idea what you are doing. If you did this to my truck I would fire you for incompetence.

[@1AAuto]

+Bill Hamilton Thanks for the feedback!

[@mmpiforall5913]

I normally like these Vids, but a lot was missing here! At the end, I don't see how there was enough clearance to undo the castilated nut on the ball joint stud w/o removing the CV joint. Am I wrong? Also not covered is how much torque on the replacement bolts/nut to mount the replacement ball joint, instructions with new ball joints is poor. If too tight cheap bolts can snap!

[@GrandPrix46]

Wtf this video was just showing the different methods of removing the rivets, torque specs and nut removal are irrelevant here. Find a video on your specific vehicle for all that, use Google, or get a manual.

[@billhamilton2366]

You've dulled your drill. It's not even cutting. And your hole is off centre. And hou had a perfectly good starting dimple AND you should have used a centre punch anyway

[@1AAuto]

+Bill Hamilton Thanks for the feedback!

[@jro7075]

how about showing how to remove the rivets from the ground a lot of home mechanics DO NOT HAVE A LIFT !!!!!! to get easy access to the freaking parts whats is the purpose of a mechanic showing how to when he has a garage with all the things he needs last time i checked I don't have a lift in my driveway to easily get to my ball joints ,i can only lift my car so far it would be nice if a mechanic thinking like a regular person who does not have a lift if he can show how to do this feat with out a lift and show how to do it on the ground like regular people who do not have a lift ,if i had 1000 dollars to give to mechanic you think i would waste time on the ground ,everytime i try to fix my car cause mechanics don't realize that some of us do not get paid like a pro mechanic and to put down 1000 dollars or so is not easy when gas is high food is high living is high ,please excuse my rant i am tired of seeing how to vids by people who have easy access to the things we do not have and brag how easy it is i tried to watch the vids for my car repair and it is the same a pro working in his pro shop !!!!!!!

[@curtis12999]

That drill didnt work did it lol

[@WHATSUPWATSON]

Drilling up sucks

[@ChrisJones1974]

Yes it does!

[@AvelinaPerez-tw3kq]

Fml