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mechanic called me to advise that he is having trouble drilling the rivets in the ball joints?
Are there any tips?
Are there any tips?
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They are the easiest thing to drill out mate.
I really cant understand how he could be having problems.
Sharp drill bits??
Andrew
Par 6 Golf GTI. Coilovers, BBS CH Wheels, APR'd
Caddy van 05/07 (colourcoded) (BRIGHT! orange!) coilovers, Konis 18in. wheels, Oettinger tuned -
centre punch the dome. File or grind a flat on it if you are a real klutz.
use a sharp, good quality High Speed Steel drill (or better like Cobalt. High Carbon bits are only for wood) at the correct speed. The angle at the end should be about 118 degrees. Start with a 3mm bit & use cutting fluid.
Generally, the workshop will use an air drill & it's too fast, blunt & some cheap wood drilling bit they got from Bunnings.
The other way of doing it is to use an air chisel & lop the tops of the rivets off.carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forumsComment
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I have a feeling that I am getting what I have paid for - a cheap fix!
I just want my bloody blue slip now...Comment
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They're pretty easy to drill out. I did mine with a drill press and HSS bits.
I don't recall them being especially difficult.
Pete79 MK1 Golf Wreck to Race / 79 MK1 Golf The Red Thread / 76 MK1 Golf Kamei Race Car
7? MK1 Caddy
79 B1 Passat Dasher Project
12 AmarokComment
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ive done it with a bodgy drill and cheap bits. its really not very hard. Ive even just done it with an angle grinder before!TDI mk1 on the road!!
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I hope that they are not going to charge me a ridiculous amount of money - because this should be a maximum of 1 hours work...Comment
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angle grinder works well... and then a big hammer and a 8mm drift to punch out the old pins.
on a mk1, unless you have a true old school mechanic who knows his stuff, this is what i'd call a DIY money saver job...'07 Touareg V6 TDI with air suspension
'98 Mk3 Cabriolet 2.0 8V
'99 A4 Quattro 1.8TComment
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As above, angle grinder FTW.sigpic
'Bazza is mostly working on his bro's or girlfriends mk3's!'Comment
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So I now have the new Blue slip - I am not far away. Great to know for next time, I am sure at 440,000km I will be more the wiser!
Thanks for everyones input!Comment
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No one has mentioned that you're better off replacing the whole control arm for any number of reasons!! They are all old and dodgy and ridiculously cheap to buy from the UK - you can also buy a Cabby/GTI one with the swaybar holes rather than drilling them yourself for the very basic Whiteline swaybar
Just throw the old one out along with the balljoint and save the time in labour costs.
1976 Project Carbon Mk1 - Sold! | 2015 Lotus Exige Cup | F80 M3 Family WheelsComment
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Never knew that it could be so complicated.
I never thought about getting a complete control arm...
Mechanic did however say that the suspension was in great order so I am happy that it is at least safe!Comment
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Originally posted by mikinoz View Post
And he should know mate...........
Hope it wasnt too much of a rip off!
Andrew
Par 6 Golf GTI. Coilovers, BBS CH Wheels, APR'd
Caddy van 05/07 (colourcoded) (BRIGHT! orange!) coilovers, Konis 18in. wheels, Oettinger tunedComment
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ooooohhhhh. i hope my comment didnt offend himOriginally posted by gtimk5 View Post
And he should know mate...........
Hope it wasnt too much of a rip off!
Andrew
'07 Touareg V6 TDI with air suspension
'98 Mk3 Cabriolet 2.0 8V
'99 A4 Quattro 1.8TComment
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