Ball joints.

[dowsewashere]

Torch is by far the easiest way to do it. cut the rivets and the ball joint up. Wash it all away until its level with the control arm. While the rivets are still red hot, knock them out with a hammer and punch. Done LOL

Are you saying like cut off wheel the head of the rivet and torch them until red and hit them with a hammer? That doesnt sound too terrible.

 

[98_k1500]

Can do that, i was just talking about cutting the head off the rivet and washing away the ball joint itself and the rivet down to the control arm with a torch. You will find that if you try to cut the head off them and drive them out, they won't budge. They are in there tight.

 

[steampunk1375]

Air chisel the heads off then drive the rivets out. Fastest way I've ever done it.

 

[Keepinitoldskool]

Air chisel the heads off then drive the rivets out. Fastest way I've ever done it.

Ditto

rivets on mine were pretty soft compared to some other makes ive had to do, like my dodge 3/4 ton.

 

[dowsewashere]

Alright guys. That doesnt sound like the worst thing in the world.

 

[phlegm]

Here you go, my account of the whole process.
1998 Tahoe Balljoint Replacement -- GMT400 Forum