any know how hard it is to change ball joints in a 2nd gen. i know i need to change at least one, so i might as well do then all. i heard that the have to be pressed in is that true? do u think it would be better to just take it some where and get it done, or do it my self?

 

The lowers need to be pressed in and if your doing on joints you might as well upgrade them all with moog greasables.

If you should do it all depends on your mechanical ability. Its not really hard to do, just have to take the time to not destroy your allignment.

I took off the lower control armsand took them to a shop for pressing and did the rest myself.

 

i think my uppers are going bad on my 2001. i had the lowers replaced under the recall a few years ago, i suppose they could be bad again. the truck makes a popping/creaking noise like when doing slow manuvers.

 

lowers can be a bit of a pain. I dodn;t have time to do mine so i took it to a guy that had to really fight with it to get it out. He tried pressing it out, and then got the bigest hammer in his toolbox. Glad i didn't waste all day on it! He charged me an hour.

 

For the creaking i would check your control arm bushings. My 03 is doing that.

 

good idea, i'll check that out

 

you should be able to rent the press tool from Autozone. they will want you to buy the tool and then will reimburse you for it when you bring it back... effectively a free rental.