hey guys I know someone here has replaced a lower ball joint on a 2000 model ram 1500 2 wheel drive. The ball joint has 4 rivets holding it to the control arm. I have cut the heads of those rivits off, an attempted to hammer the rest of them out, they won't budge. I have also tried a air hammer and heat.
Thanks for any suggestions ya'll may have.
You might try drilling into them a bit to hollow them. That will allow them to compress. Use a drift punch in the hole to punch them out. Be sure to use a drill that is smaller than the rivet diameter so you don't damage the hole, yet large enough to weaken the rivet substantially.
I tried that on one of them. The rivet is about a 1/2" and I used a 3/16" bit and it still wouldn't punch out. I think tomorrow I will go get a good 5/16 bit and try it. I have never had rivets give me so much trouble.
I would think more like 3/8" for a 1/2" rivet.
Also, check your hammer. If is says "Cool Tools" or Bob the Builder" anywhere on it, try a different hammer.
lol.. rivits are annoying.. and yea the way ive always removed the rivits was grind a flat spot and drill with a bit thats just barely smaller than the rivit... drill all the way through and then try to punch it out with a chisel or punch... its always a pain but it works
Do the drilling and then BFH, heavy on the B, and be sure the control arm is supported well as close to the ball joint as possible. You'll lose lots of impact due to deflection if it's not supported well.