No rivets on the lowers, just pressed them out. The new ones have a clip that holds them in although with the amount of force it took to press them in, I can't see the need for the clip.
Took like 5 hours to do the drivers side after having to modify the cup that is used with the press to fit around the ball joint properly. only took like an hour and a half to do the passenger side on Sunday. Front end seems tighter but still makes a ratteling noise.
All I know is that I've saved a ton of money doing it myself and I even threw on some new pads.

 

Get moog ball joints,they are the best, or if you don't get moog make sure the new ball joints that you get have a grease fitting. As for putting them in, the lower need to be hammer out and a special tool is needed to press the new ones in. It will take some time, but the money you will save will be well worth it.

 

Another tip as far as hammering them out...most auto parts stores will rent you a ball joint press which will both press the lower one out and press the new one back in. The pickle fork that will separate the lower may seem to be too thin but if you just tilt the steering knuckle until the fork is tight, then a couple whacks with a hammer will pop it right out. Good luck to anyone who wants to save about $600.00 per side!

 

ordered 1 upper and it'll be here wednesday and will be installed saturday

 

Did you get it off of Ebay?
You'll probably be surprised how much heavier the replacement control arm is.
I bet the whole job doesn't take you more than like 45 minutes.

 

ya i got it off ebay. thanks man. i talked to my mechanic and he said you normally replace both sides when you do one. he said all the boots are ripped on them, but the joint is fine and i dont have to worry about it. he just said replace the driverside upper, which i knew. but ill probally eventually do the other upper just to be safe. and hell, i may even decide to do the lowers since i can get them for like $50 for the lower set. just takes more work.

so the new one im getting will bea lot heavier than the stock one?

 

Mine is just a 2WD 1500 and I'd say the new control arm with the ball joint was at least 2x as heavy as the original.

 

i have the 2wd too. that good that it more heavy duty, considering after my leveling kit the control arm is pretty close to the shock bucket. atleast now if it hits i dont have to worry about bending it.

 

got the control arm today and brought it to work to grease that baby up. its a hell of a lot heavier duty than stock. anyone lookig for new ones i recomend ebay!

 

Yes I agree. Macautoparts is the real deal on Ebay for car and truck parts.