'98 Expo Replacing Lower Ball Joint

I had my upper balljoints replaced, which required replacing the entire upper control arm. My Chilton's manual says that the lower balljoint is also not a servicable part and the whole lower control arm needs to be replaced. I called AutoZone and a few local auto parts stores, none of them have lower control arms in stock, only lower balls joints. So what is it, can I just replace the lower ball joint, or am I required to buy the whole arm?

1998 Expedition 4x4 5.4L

TIA

jim

i believe you can replace some of the ball joint assy's by grinding or drilling the rivits in the control arms, and then bolting the new ball joints in thier place, if this is doable, it'd be alot cheaper then replacing the entire control arm
you might ask your local mechanic about that
hth
Rick, Ore

Yes you can replace the lower joint only. The old ones may have to be pressed out but it can be done. I actually did mine myself.