replacing upper and lower ball joints. upper went like clockwork.

stuck at replacing the lower ball joint. have tried to press and hammer it out of the lower control arm. just need to verify that my model BJ can be pressed out (original factory BJ) . it's the type with the BJ on a plate that's riveted to the control arm. i've even grinded down the lip on top of the BJ which i thought may be a tack weld holding it in place but still no go. is there a replacement that you just bolt on replacing the BJ and riveted plate?

if this model can be pressed out,then i will continue away trying to get it out. will torching, heating the control arm around the BJ help? i've got moog replacements.

thanks for any advice...

 

I have an 03. Sounds like the same set up. They will press out. I used a little heat on my the control arm. 6 or 7 hits with the hammer the ball joint was out.
Good luck.

 

are their any problems with heating the control arm or any other metal part in general? do they lose some strength permanently?

guess i'll be wacking the bj today. thanks.

 

update:
got it out with some BFH banging without heat. grinding off that lip on top may have helped along with some pb blaster. driver side done. passenger side will get done next week. dead tired and time for the pool.