Thanks, I saw that link in a previous thread you posted- very helpful! It says that he uses a rtatcheting tie down strap to pull the upper and lower control arms together- I want to be prepared with a coil spring compressor just in case I mess up. I am under the impression however if I keep the hydraulic jack in place throughout the operation, it should keep everything together. I guess i'm just not sure if the pressure of the coil spring will raise the whole truck up when the spindle is popped off. I found another helpful write up by "MazdaRangerGuy" on FTE:
Jack it up under the lower control arm.. this will keep everything in place and you won't need to remove the coil spring.
Remove the wheel, and then take the tie rods loose from the steering knuckle (if you turn the wheels left/right with the engine off it will suck air into the power steering and cause a nasty vibration... by taking the tie rod off first you won't have to worry about this happening)
Remove the steering knuckle.. also be sure to unplug the ABS sensor (if equipped)...
Remove the snap ring around the lower ball joint and hammer it out... position the new ball joint in it's place... tap lightly.. just enough to make it stay in place... start the castle-nut a few threads... put a 2X4 under the ball joint stud... lower the stud onto the 2X4 by lowering the jack slowly until you see the control arm start to compress the spring more...
Hammer on the control arm around the ball joint it and should slide in with each blow... when all the way in install snap ring and grease fitting. Jack vehicle back up under control arm and remove castlenut.
The upper ball joint should be replaced with the control arm assembly, unless it has already been replaced, in which you may be able to service the ball joint separately.. in which case go ahead and remove the two bolts and remove the control arm.. just pay attention how the offset washers are orientated... the left side can be a pain as the fuel lines get in the way of the bolts but if you hold your tongue right and get creative it can be done. Make sure the bolts are seated completely in the grooves before you torque them down (you'll see what i mean when you remove them).
Your right side upper control arm may be a two piece design, which makes replacement much much easier... only need to remove the outer part, unless the new part is a one piece. (you can still get the outer part through motorcraft.. don't know about the aftermarkets).
Reinstall steering knuckle... tighten ball joint nuts... reinstall tie rod ends... reinstall brake calipers... plug in abs sensors.. install cotter pins.. lube the grease fittings... reinstall wheel.. good to go.
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