Well I keep hearing this squeak from my passenger side by the struts. Well i checked under my Car when i was changeing the oil today and the only one that looks bad is the ball joint [boot is tore up pretty good]. i have two questions. Is it a pain to change? it still has rivots in it. How long can i drive it like this?

if you have to right tools its easy
drill out the rivets replace with bolts that should be supplyed with the new ball joints

If it is squeeking that means there is no lube left in the joint. No-lube means rapid wear, and when the ball joint breaks your whole wheel assembly is probably coming off. Get it changed ASAP.

i think if the sound is coming from the strut it would be the strut mount. especially if the noise is a squeak. the noise you would hear from a balljoint is a clunk sound, but since the rubber boot is torn you should change it anyway because dirt and stuff will get in and mess it up.

Air Hammer > Rivets
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I always use the blade shaped bit to cut the top off then knock the rivet out with a skinny circular bit.

damn straight a ball joint will clunk. Easy to change. Sounds like a strut mount, or a sway bushing which will make a chirp.