C3 Picasso wishbone ball joints

[Ddclutch]

2011 C3 Picasso
I have vertical play in the front wishbone outer ball joints which I will need to replace before the next MOT.
Its the swivel pin item and I see they are available as a replacement part that fixes to the lower wishbone with 3 (I assume, high tensile?) bolts.

Checking mine the part looks identical but is fixed with 3 rivets. Do I just grind/ drill those out and then fit the new part with its bolts? Will the rivet hole sizes be correct to take the bolts?

[RichardW]

Cit show it as a replacement with bolts, so I assume you are right and cut the old one off.

[Michel]

Yes, just drill/grind the rivets out. This is what I did on mine.

[Ddclutch]

Thanks for both your replies. I take it therefore that the bolts were a good fit in the rivet holes once the rivets had been removed.

[Stewart(oily)]

I always end up removing the wishbone in order to grind/hammer/drill those rivets out, get a price for the complete wishbone, you then get all new rubber bits too, if they are already bolted then its straightforward, but the complete thing costs not a lot more.

[Michel]

I always end up removing the wishbone in order to grind/hammer/drill those rivets out, get a price for the complete wishbone, you then get all new rubber bits too, if they are already bolted then its straightforward, but the complete thing costs not a lot more.

I'd have replaced the whole wishbone if I didn't have access to a vehicle lift in a nice dry workshop, and all the tools to hand that I needed to swap the ball joint. Sods law dictates that if you take the arm off, go to the fuss of drilling the bolts out, and putting it all together that the bushes will fail shortly after.

[Ddclutch]

I might have been better off doing as you suggest and getting the complete wishbone, but I had already ordered the separate ball joint kits.
I have completed one side, but its not an easy job. Hardest part was getting the taper pin out of the hub carrier. The locating bolt came out ok but the pin was absolutely solid! Used easing fluid, then heat and still it was very obstinate. Cutting and grinding the rivets out was a doddle by comparison.
Whilst down there I also replaced front brake hoses as the short rigid pipe pieces where they fit to the calipers were badly corroded and very frail - just ready to burst under heavy braking!

[PaulC5]

If you got air into the abs unit when replacing the brake hoses you may need a diagnostic to bleed the brakes fully, just pumping the pedal is not enough.

[Ddclutch]

Thanks PaulC5, I don't think I did. I had sealed the reservoir cap before removing and replacing the old hose. No fluid dribbled out from the top connected end, only that which was in the hose itself.