Lower ball joint, labor time?

[kill_them_all]

Does anyone know what the labor time would be for the lower ball joints (per side or total) on a 96-98 grand am? Thanks.

[Nighthawk243]

Shouldn't be more than a few hours for the front. You are not really going to be undoing the control arms, just the ball joint.

[kill_them_all]

Alright sounds good. How bad are they to change? I know they are riveted in and I think you have to drill and chisel them. I'm just worried about being able to get them out once I pop the heads off them.

Also, last time I separated the ball joints getting them to pop out was extremely hard. The lower control arm was sprung very tight. If I remove the sway bar end links will the control arm move easier?

[Nighthawk243]

Disconnecting the swaybar will let the control arm move a bit more. Just buy new bolts though, yours will probably break.

[kill_them_all]

Originally posted by Nighthawk243
Disconnecting the swaybar will let the control arm move a bit more. Just buy new bolts though, yours will probably break.

How hard is it to drill the rivets?

[kill_them_all]

I'm actually just considering throwing pre-assembled control arms on it now. I looks like its just two bolts to get the control arm off.

[jonnythan]

Drilling the rivets out is hella easy. I did it no problem.

And yes, just two bolts for the control arm. If you haven't replaced the lower control arm bushings that's probably a good thing to do anyway. Pre-assembled control arms complete with ball joints and bushings will make your life a lot easier.

[doobiess]

its not really a hard job but for me i might have had dull bits but those rivets were real POS to do.. i got em out eventually and when all 3 were out.. the old ball joint came out pretty easy.. as for doing this.. i found it way easier to remove the whole control all.. drill and replace.. also if you can do the bushings too but that takes some more time if you got time... but not too hard as long as you have the tools for the job