1996 Explorer XLT Ball Joints

[Kebo33]

I had new tires put on yesterday and the kid at the tire place showed me where the upper and lower ball joints are shot on both sides of the car. Since I do all of my own mechanic work, how hard is it to replace these? I know that the upper has to be replaced along with the control arm and the lower has to be pressed out. I have never done this before. So before I get off into something I can't finish, I wanted to know how difficult it was and what kind of tools do I need?
Thanks,
Keith

[dcmaynard]

I have a 96 EB and I just got my lowers replaced and I was talking to a friend that is a Mechanic and he told me that its not somthing that you would want to try on your own. So I asked him to do it and he said that he wouldnt. SO I paid 357 to have them replaced. Not sure if this is any help for you or not.

[4caster]

I wasted an evening trying to press out the lower ball joints on my '98 Explorer. Took it to NTB and the entire job was done with an alignment check inside of two hours. I learned the hard way that this was not a job to be attempted with manual tools.

Side note - Make sure that your replacement ball joints have grease fittings. If you lube the fittings every time you change the oil, you will probably never have to replace the ball joints again.