Ball Joint Press

I took my 98 4X4 in for an alignment today and was told I'd need to replace my ball joints, and possibly a control arm. For the $900 bucks they wanted I'd figure I'd do it myself, but when I went to buy the ball joints, the guy told me I wouldn't be able to do it without a ball joint press to get them back in--kind of like what the Chilton manual says. Now, reading through the posts, I haven't seen anyone use a tool more complex than a pickle fork, and if I spend the $250 on the press I might as well have the shop do it 'cause I don't see myself using a ball joint puller on a regular basis. So how do you guys get the ball joints back in? Also, once I get the ball joints done, what should I be looking for with this 'possibly needing attention' control arm? This is my first delve into suspension, so I apreciate all your help, and hope I don't sound too silly.

Cheers,
L.

On my 98 the ball joints are not pressed in. They used to be mounted like that on some older cars. They are held in by rivets if they have not been replaced. You will have to remove the rivets by drilling, cutting, burning, or some other way. I use an air hammer to chisel them off. The new joint will come with nuts and bolts to replace the rivets. I usually loosen the axle nut and push the axle in until the old joint will clear the control arm. A pickle fork will separate the old joint after the castle nut is removed. The instructions should have an illustration about which way the new joint goes in. The upper joint goes down through the top of the control arm with the bolts coming up through the holes. Right now I don't remember how the lower joint goes, but I think it will only go in one way. If it needs a control arm or bushings, now is the time to do it while you have it apart.