Lower Ball Joint Swap without removing lower arm...

[Dave]

Out of pure laziness, is it possible to swap the (riveted) lower ball joint without removing the lower arm on a Maestro? I've done it on other cars before, but don't remember doing this job on a Maestro before - can I get a grinder in?

Or should I just get on with it and do it properly on the bench :)

Dave

[Jumturbo]

In short, yes, cos I've done it years ago on my white monty, I removed the hub assembly though. Grinding and drilling rivets not a problem, but drifting out harder as arm springs up and down. Need to support it under.

[Dave]

Thanks - I suppose I should have mentioned, the inspiration for changing the joint was that the swivel hub was coming off anyway.

Dave

[MaestroTurbo]

Its really easy to remove the lower arm and it doesnt really add much time, you wont regret it as removing those rivets can be troublesome, less so when on a bench/in a vice.

[E_T_V]

For the sake of the extra bolt to undo I'd remove the arm as it is easier this way. It is perfectly possible on the car but a lot easier off of it!

[Jumturbo]

Unless one or more of the mounting bolts shear! Plus you need to remove the arb mounts. Unfortunately I had two bolts shear, which made the job a nightmare, but I was changing bushes too.

[Dave]

Feedback - I ground the rivet tops off in situe (lots of space since I had the swivel hub and the damper out at the time). I'm glad i didn't remove the lower arm - the rivets dropped out with the gentlest of taps. One side was a bit harder than the other, but much easier than messing around with the AR bush bolts.

Thanks for the advice above!

Dave

[F111RHK]

sorry to drag up an old post, im trying to changed the osf ball joint, i've removed the hub etc, and have taken a grinder to the rivet tops, how far do I take the rivet heads back? as I've taken it back to be flush with the arm (i cannot take them back any further) Gave them a few hits and they wont budge.

[E_T_V]

Drill them out till you are passed the metal of the arm and then whack em with a hammer. They can be quite persistant. It is also easier to hammer them out from one side rather than the other, but I'm afraid I can't remember which one.

[mgdavid]

you need a good drift the same size as the rivets, and a heavy hammer. Don't tap them, give them a really massive clout. Some are bu99ers to shift, others almost drop out.

[countrydude]

I did some ages ago, a real pain! I drilled them out, gave them a good clout no movement. Father ended up using the oxy torch and burnt some of them out while I set up a pillar drill and literally drilled them out of existence!