Dreading these ball joints ***Update, Help!***

[NCtrueconservative]

Well, found out I need new lower and upper ball joints. Got em ordered, should be here soon. After reading through some threads on the forum about this, I don't know if I'm up for it....but then again idk if Im up for paying someone to do it. Heard its pretty high.  I've already done the tie rod ends, just taking it one step at a time. Found out I'll need a special socket (can I rent this from advance auto?). Any other special advice. I dread this like a dental appointment  Especially if something goes wrong and I have a car setting in my driveway with no way to move it, til the problem gets fixed

[footin70rt]

My first thought is if the ball joints are worn out, what condition are the control arm bushings in. Now would be the time to do them also since you're halfway there. I would guess you could rent the socket, I ended up buying one through a local distributor. It's the SK Tools 84688.

[brads70]

Ah It's a piece of cake! Don't let it intimidate you, it's just nuts and bolts! I bought the tool, it was like $30 bucks or something. Buying the tool will be much cheaper than paying someone to install the ball joints!

I agree with footin70rt, now would be a great time to install the moog offset bushing so you can get more caster when you go for a front end alignment. 

If "something goes wrong" we are all here to help you through it!
HAVE AT HER MAN! 

[ChallengerHK]

   To me, that's one of the easier jobs. I'd also do the bushings now as well, and don't forget the strut rod bushings. If you're a handling person, you could get Moog offset upper bushings for more caster.

[Barracudadan]

I did mine wasnt bad at all first time working on front end suspension for me,however I opted to bring my upper control arms to a local shop and let them do the uppers I didn`t want to buy a special socket for a one time use only though it would have been cheaper to do so. I could not find any place that would rent the socket out. I did all my front end components well worth doing it yourself if you have 40+ year old suspension parts probably a good time to replace them.

[jdavis2169]

I just did mine. You might want to do yourself a favor and start spraying the wd-40 on the uppers now. Mine were rusted in pretty bad. Also keep some heat handy. One of my control arms stripped out a bit so i am going to weldball joint in and replace the control arm next time i do them. I was lucky and found a local tool rental place that had the socket. None of the parts stores had it. A Cheaterr pipe might also be handy. Good luck!

[NCtrueconservative]

alright yeah I will probably replace those bushings. Could someone post a link to part on advance auto parts website and napa's? Sorry...I have found some, I just wanna make sure I'm getting the right thing at the best price. And this sounds SO stupid, but how many will I need again? Any tips or tricks to getting those bushings out?  And I know I 'll need the socket for the upper ball, how does the lower come out?  Again, sorry for all the questions, you guys are the best

[Barracudadan]

Remove the cotter pin and nut and a couple good whaks with a big hammer on a pickle fork will get the lower ball joint to pop off. I bought all my parts "Moog" from Rockauto good prices there.

[jdavis2169]

The lower are held in by 2 bigger bolts and nuts through the backing plate for your brakes.

[NCtrueconservative]

Oh okay. So how many control arm bushings will I need? Ill go ahead and get those ordered. Those hard to replace?

[dodj]

You need to use a press to get them off/on. Also need to remove the torsion bar clip so you can back the t-bar up a bit to remove the lower control arm

[Barracudadan]

The lower are held in by 2 bigger bolts and nuts through the backing plate for your brakes.

Oh yeah I forgot about them2 bolts DUH! 

[jimynick]

Not to belabour the obvious, but do your upper BJ changing with the arm still attached to the car and THEN take the arm off to change the bushing. The previous comments about a pipe and torch are both good advice as they can be your friends when needed, but one of the new, high torque impact guns would be a good place to start, too. 

[ChallengerHK]

...and penetrating oil.

A couple of folks here have torn upper arms when trying to remove thr ball joints

[Bullitt-]

Oh okay. So how many control arm bushings will I need? Ill go ahead and get those ordered. Those hard to replace?

I'd chose a time when you can have the car down for 2-3 days..Make sure you have all the parts on hand.
I was able to install the upper bushings using a bench vice, a few sockets, a 2" piece of pipe & my imagination.
As for the lower bushings I used the Energy Suspension poly bushings which installs in the old shell (pretty easy), using new OE-style "rubber" bushings you need to remove the old shell & press in the new one.   

Advanced Auto lists them, they will probably have to order so you could get through Amazon & save $ if you can wait.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subcategory_Chassis-Control-Arm-Parts_-49997412_-49997327_10151_10051_-1___
Upper control arm bushings require 4 unless you get a kit.
Moog Control Arm Bushing Kit
Part No. K408
  Front Upper; Incl. front and rear bushings; Kit; 1 Required
$36.99

If you get the "eccentric" bushings which help with added castor you will need two of these
Moog Control Arm Bushing
Part No. K7103    
  Front Upper; Kit; 2 Required
$37.99

Lower control arm bushings you need two. 
Moog Control Arm Bushing
Part No. K791
$15.99

Link to Moog front suspension list
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=36356.0

There are a ton of threads here on this topic so take an evening to search & educate yourself...this is not hard or terribly complicated but you need to know what your getting into.