Ball Joints - 2000 Ranger 4WD

[bopApocalypse]

I've got a 2000 Ranger 4wd that I've owned for three years or so, and it's been great so far. However, the mechanic I go to has said that the ball joints are bad enough that it won't be able to pass safety inspection in august.

After getting his quote for replacement, however, I'm seriously considering doing it myself. I know that the upper control arms and balljoints are replaced as a single unit. However, I'm not clear on the lowers - some stuff seems to indicate that the lower arms and balljoints are a single unit, other (like plenty of auctions like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Lo...004QQitemZ140193255045QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW ) seem to indicate that I can use the existing control arm and just replaced the ball joint.

So, ranger gurus - what's the answer?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The answer is that Yes the upper control arm has to be replaced to replace the upper balljoint and the lower ball joint can be changed out without replacing the lower control arm, its a press out, press in job, They don't like being drifted out with a hammer and will sometimes make the new joint fit sloppy in the hole.