Removing the three rivets ona ball joint

The lower ball joint original is riveted into the lower control arm. If you can get to the lower control arm with a drill then the rivets can be drilled out and the joint removed . I find it quicker to remove the lower arm and do the job in a vice on the bench. Replacement ball joints will come with grade 8 bolts ( auto engineering quality) and will simply bolt into place using the holes for the rivets. So the procedure will be to jack the vehicle and place securely on jack stands. remove the wheel, remove the ball joint nut and using a ball joint removing tool drive the ball joint taper out of the support arm ( strut) Remove the inner pivot bolt ( remember to note the position of the lock washer as it is encentric and alters the wheel alignment) put the arm in a vice and carry on.

original can be riveted ,,, have to drill out and replacement should have bolts

Inspect/Test/Service/Replace Removing Ball Joint Tapers from the Steering Knuckle
The ball joint is connected to the steering knuckle with a tapered connection, called a steering taper, which is also used in other steering connections.
A ball joint taper. Courtesy of Moog Automotive, Inc. To remove a ball joint requires the use of a ball joint remover.
Another way of "breaking" the taper is to use a large hammer.

• First, remove the cotter pin from the ball joint nut and loosen the nut several turns.
• Position the vehicle so that the coil spring is pushing on the ball joint. This could require lifting the vehicle or allowing its weight to rest on the wheels.
• Use a hammer to pound sharply on the steering knuckle on the outside of the taper. this will deform the taper and spring pressure will separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Removing the Ball Joint from the Control Arm
A ball joint can be retained by one of several methods.
Three common ball joint retaining methods. Courtesy of Moog Automotive, Inc. Some ball joints are held in with rivets from the factory. The rivets are drilled and punched to remove them. Bolts and nuts are used to hold the replacement joint in place.
Original equipment rivets are replaced with nuts and bolts. Courtesy of Moog Automotive, Inc. The most common method is press fit. Some manufacturers require you to replace the entire control arm assembly if a ball joint is to be replaced. In these cases, the ball joint and control arm are made as a single assembly and individual parts are not available.
If the control arm has been removed from the vehicle, a pressed-fit ball joint can be removed using a standard hydraulic press. when the control arm is still on the car, a special press set allows the removal and replacement of these ball joints. some pressed-fit ball joints have a spot weld that holds them in place. this must be carefully removed. when a replacement ball joint is installed, a snap ring often takes the place of the weld.
NOTE Be sure the grease release hole in the new ball joint's rubber boot is aimed away from the brakes.

Hi, the ball joint is connected to the steering knuckle with a tapered connection, called a steering taper, which is also used in other steering connections.
To remove a ball joint requires the use of a ball joint remover.
Another way of "breaking" the taper is to use a large hammer.
First, remove the cotter pin from the ball joint nut and loosen the nut several turns.
Position the vehicle so that the coil spring is pushing on the ball joint. This could require lifting the vehicle or allowing its weight to rest on the wheels.
Use a hammer to pound sharply on the steering knuckle on the outside of the taper. This will deform the taper and spring pressure will separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Removing the Ball Joint from the Control Arm
A ball joint can be retained by one of several methods.
Some ball joints are held in with rivets from the factory. The rivets are drilled and punched to remove them. Bolts and nuts are used to hold the replacement joint in place.
The most common method is press fit. Some manufacturers require you to replace the entire control arm assembly if a ball joint is to be replaced. In these cases, the ball joint and control arm are made as a single assembly and individual parts are not available.
If the control arm has been removed from the vehicle, a pressed-fit ball joint can be removed using a standard hydraulic press. When the control arm is still on the car, a special press set allows the removal and replacement of these ball joints. Some pressed-fit ball joints have a spot weld that holds them in place. This must be carefully removed. When a replacement ball joint is installed, a snap ring often takes the place of the weld.

NOTE
Be sure the grease release hole in the new ball joint's rubber boot is aimed away from the brakes.

Disconnect the caliper and mount, and hang it aside. Unbolt the 5 or 6, 6mm allen head bolts from the hub. Pull the hub out and remove the snap ring and washers behind it. Loosen the upper ball joint nut a little and break the joint free. Support the lower control arm with a jack and loosen the lower ball joint nut and break it loose also. With the lower control arm supported, remove the upper ball joint nut and slowly remove the lower control arm support (jack). The shock will retain the torsion bar and you can now remove the lower ball joint nut and slide the knuckle off the ball joint. You will be able to move the knuckle and axle around enough to give you access to the four bolts securing the ball joint

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Place jackstands under the frame.
3. Lower the car slightly so the weight rests on the jackstands and not the control arm.
4. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.

Be careful to avoid over-extending the axle shaft joints. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of internal components and possible joint failure. Failure to observe this can result in interior joint or boot damage and possible joint failure.

1. If a silicone (gray) boot is used on the inboard axle joint, install boot seal protector J-33162 or equivalent. If a thermoplastic (black) boot is used, no protector is necessary.
2. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castellated nut. Discard the pin.
3. Remove the castellated nut and disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle using ball joint separator J-34505, J-29330, or equivalent.

Be sure to use on the recommended tool for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the proper tool may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

1. Drill out the three rivets retaining the ball joint to the lower control arm. Use a 1 /8 in. (3mm) drill bit to make a pilot hole through the rivets. Finish drilling the head of the rivets with a 1 /2 in. (13mm) drill bit. Do NOT drill completely through the control arm.

Be careful not to damage the drive axle boot when drilling out the ball joint rivets.

1. Unfasten the nut attaching the link to the stabilizer shaft.
2. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle and control arm.

To install:

1. Position the ball joint in the control arm.
2. Install the three ball joint bolts and nuts as shown on the instruction sheet in the ball joint kit, then tighten the bolts to specifications.
3. Position the ball joint stud through the steering knuckle.
4. Fasten the ball joint-to-steering knuckle nut to 41-50 ft. lbs. (56-68 Nm).
5. Install a new cotter pin to the ball joint castellated nut.
6. If installed, remove the boot protector.
7. Fasten the nut attaching the stabilizer link to the stabilizer shaft. Tighten to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm), then slightly raise the vehicle and remove the jackstands from under the suspension.
8. Install the front tire and wheel assembly and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
9. Carefully lower the vehicle, then tighten the wheel lug nuts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).

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Changing the actual ball joints themselves is pretty easy (the replacements just bolt in), however disassembling everything else is very involved, especially if you have a 4x4. Some of the original equipment ball joints are riveted in, so you may need to drill out the rivets to remove the old ball joints. Some models have ball joints that are pressed in. (Your model should not be pressed in. They are either riveted or bolted if they have been replaced already) This is not a job I would recommend to someone who does not know how to do it. You need to disassemble/take tension off the suspension, disassemble the steering knuckles, etc. There are specialized tools you will need as well such as a pickle fork for breaking the knuckle away from the ball joint/A arm, spring compressor or torsion bar removal tool (depending on what your vehicle is equipped with), torque wrench, etc.

If you are set on tackling it anway, do yourself a favor and go to your local auto parts store and pick up a repair manual for your Blazer. It will have the procedure to step you through it, torque specs, and tool part numbers listed in it.

It's rather involved to replace them. The old ones are riveted in, a bit involved to remove the rivots, the new ones come with replacement bolts. You'll need a ball joint seperator, assorted wrenches and sockets, a jack and jack stands.

support vehicle under A frame remove wheel. loosen nut on top of ball joint.seperate spindle assembly from ball joint w/ball joint seperating tool AKA pickle fork.remove nut.ball joint is riveted to lower A frame-chisel off or drill out rivets.install new ball joint w/nuts &bolts supplied with it

If your talking about the lower ball joint , the OEM ball joint is riveted on with three rivets, the replacement is bolted on with three bolts/nuts. Carefully drill out these rivets (try not to elongate the mounting holes) . Drill the heads off and use a pin punch to remove the rivets. Pull off the old ball joint and install new with attaching hardware (which should be provided in kit). I can't remember the torque values, any shop should be able to provide this but I think it's 50 ft. lbs.
Ckeck alingment