when I did my LCAs (and this was pre-lift by the way) I attached the 2 points loosely at the frame, then held the steering knuckle/strut in one hand/arm while the other jiggled the ball joint into its location in the knuckle. Don't forget, the threaded stem on the ball joint moves, but will be stiff as it's new. You can align it on the required angle to get the stem in. Once it's aligned, a moderately gentle tap with a hammer will help get it in. It'll be a bit of a grunt but will go in.
Regarding the lift, here's my "story". My wife and I decided to put a 2 car garage onto our existing home. The plans were for a 24dx32w garage, with living space above. As the above part was going to be fully open and our new living room, I drew up the plans to have 2 steps up from the original house's floor level into the new great room. This meant that with the excavation of the existing driveway down 18 inches and the steps up into the new living room by 18 inches that my garage ceiling was 11'6". I acted as the general contractor and also wired the whole addition which easily saved me $8000.00. The lift cost $5k so I figured I was ahead $3k.
On the first day the lift was operational I did 3 oil changes and 2 full (ie: 4 wheel) brake jobs. That amount of auto work isn't typical for me but I was just so stoked to have a lift. Look at the cost of having a dealer/shop do your work and look at the cost of parts. Even if you only maintain 1 vehicle, if you have the space, the desire, and the tooling to do auto repairs, a lift is just another tool in your toolbox. FWIW, I don't work for any lift company or even in any auto industry. My tipping point was about 8 years ago when my then family mover, a 95 Ford aerostar was making funny brake noises. My wife took it to midas. They wanted $1200 for the work. I knew nothing of auto repairs then, but when I went to look at the van all the calipers were hanging by the flex lines. I knew that just wasn't right (even back then) and vowed to not let anyone do work that I could learn to do. Since then I've done oil changes, exhaust, all sorts of brake jobs, tons of suspension, a trans repair, tons of body work, power steering, rad work... pretty much the works. Haven't had the need to pull and replace an engine, but I"m just waiting for that to happen...
I diy because I like to, because it's a learning experience, because I hate to have stealerships take my hard earned money and because my son and I have some great time together. Wrap that all up in 1 word... VALUE
for what it's worth, my long-winded
