1997 isn't usually considered mid-90's - but that's when it changed.

And they're riveted. Or bolted for replacements.

For press in, however, every one I know of and can chase down is stud up for the lower.

I cheated on my GMs and the Mustang - I looked up the parts and paid attention to the shape of the lower control arm when the spring was into it; or to the attachments (sway bar end link brackets for instance) when not.

On my Cougar, I have a spare set of control arms here (found some Raybestos Pro Grade about three years ago on a close out sale), and examined them to make sure my memory wasn't fading

*shrug* Pressed in ball joints on a lower control arm, especially if the LCA supports the weight of the vehicle on that corner, isn't a good idea. If pressed in, it should take at least a snap ring to help support the weight.

And again, bolted or rivetted, you're not relying on the press in to support the vehicle, it can point any way the engineer damn well pleases

RwP

I’d like to think the engineer knows more than me. I worked with lots of engineers that designed large, truck mounted equipment ( street sweepers and sewer cleaners). My dad was an engineer. I was a manufacturing engineer. They always impressed me but on occasion you’d run into a dummy that would leave you scratching your head. I guess that’s true with all professions.

Two of the dumber things Dodge did. 1) put the voltage regulator in their OBD 1s. 2) mixing RH and LH threads on their lug nuts back in the day (late 60s).

I agree with the first.

The SECOND - well, there's actually an engineering reason to do that. As you drive down the road, centrifugal force will tend to tighten the right hand thread studs on the passenger side.

HOWEVER - that same force will tend to LOOSEN right hand thread nuts on the DRIVER'S side.

So putting LH thread studs on the driver's side, means those will tend to self-tighten on you.

Now, I prefer all right hand thread studs in any case but it's not quite dumb.

(Ain't science wunnerful?)

RwP

Oh I agree with the thinking for the very reasons you point out. I just disagreed with it in practice. Can you imagine how many people tried and gave up trying to change their tire on the side of the road because they did not know half the lugs were righty loosey lefty tighty? Count me as one of them. Had to learn the hard way.