How to Get the Rivets Out of Ball Joints on a 1999 Buick Regal
The lower ball joints mounted to the lower control arm on a 1999 Buick Regal go up and down with the movement of the suspension. These ball joints wear out over time, and when they do, they must be replaced. Unfortunately, GM made removing these ball joints very difficult, as they are riveted to the lower control arm. Removing these rivets can be a giant pain to accomplish, and it can take several hours to do properly.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack Jack stands Tire iron 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set Needle-nose pliers Open-end wrench set Air compressor and hose Pneumatic air chisel Pneumatic grinder with cut-off wheel
Instructions
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1
Lift up the front of the Buick with the jack and support the car with the jack stands. Take off the wheels with the tire iron.
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2
Unbolt the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Remove the cotter pin in the lower ball joint using the needle-nose pliers. Unbolt the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Separate the knuckle from the lower control arm.
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3
Unbolt the lower control arm from the frame using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.
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4
Grind an x shape into the heads of the rivets on the lower ball joint using the air compressor, hose and pneumatic grinder with cut-off wheel. Insert a flat bit into the air chisel, then place the tip between the lower control arm and the head of the rivet. Chisel the head off the rivet.
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5
Install a pointed tip into the air chisel. Hold the tip in the center of the spot where the rivet head was, then pull the trigger. Push it down until the rivet comes out of the lower control arm, then repeat for the remaining rivets until the ball joint can be pulled out of the lower control arm.
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