Lower Ball Joint Please Help

[transgta]

My 00 Yukon Has Had The Lower Ball Joint Squeaking On Pass Side For A While. My Wife Said Today Heard Loud Knocking Now Lower Ball Joint Can Push Up And Down.i Dont Know Where To Begin Replacing It And Do I Need Special Tools. Also Wondering If Would Be Better To Take To Someone. Headed For Florida Soon I Need To Fix Asap. Thanks Guys Dave

[MGoody]

I am breaking down a 97 Yukon front end right now. The service manuals say 4.6 hours to do the two lower ball joints. It is expensive but if you are in a hurry I would have someone else do it. On my Yukon the joints are pressed in and their are two available diameters. I won't know which one I need till I get it out. I am replacing both upper and lower and the upper joints are riveted in and the rivets must be drilled and punched out. It is a pretty tough job, at least for me as a shade tree mechanic trying to save about $400.