I need to change the ball joint on the 2000 GC, any tips or tricks on how to do this?

 

you are supposed to remove the lower control arm and then press the ball joint out and the new one back in.

 

could this be done with out removing the arm. I don't really have the means to do it this way

 

you would need a ball joint press and addapters. You would probably have to remove the axle shaft as well.

 

The most pain-free way to do this, in my opinion, is to pull the wheel, remove the brake caliper and rotor and wire that up to the coil spring or something out of the way, remove the two camber bolts, and the bolt on the steering knuckle where the ball joint attaches. Then you can use a pry fork to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle, and replace the entire control arm. It's more expensive than just doing the ball joint itself but requires no special tools nor a press. You also get new control arm bushings which is nice because yours may well be shot.

I don't think you should have to remove the axle shaft this way. If you do, you'll likely need a breaker bar, and a very, very long cheater pipe. Reattach the brakes and have an assistant hold the pedal down while you struggle to break the huge rusted axle nut free.

 

Have to agree, least painless way to do this in your driveway is swapping out the whole control arm. I can find them for ~$150 up here so they should be ~$100 in the US for a whole new arm with new bushings and ball joint installed already. It's what I plan on doing this spring in my can along with some new quick struts.

 

I did mine and didn't have to remove the control arm, but the coil spring kept getting in the way especially on the pass. side. If I had to do it again I probably would do it the same way. rented all the tools at Advance Auto

 

do you have to get an alignment if i change a control arm

 

If you remove the bolts where the spindle connects to the strut, you have to align it. If not, then no.

 

I got a snap ring with the new ball joint ( didnt have one on the old one) is that snap ring nessecary?