how difficult is it to change the ball joints on my car without a ball joint press? can i use a threaded rod?

 

use a press or more than likely you'll mess them up. steering and suspension parts isn't the place to cut corners

 

i guess ill rent one then. thanks ede.

 

I second the press. Just go to Auto Zone or Pep Boys and "rent" one...they give you all your money back when you bring it back...easy.

Ed

 

here's how i do them.

http://www.fl-thirdgen.org/balljointreplacement.html

 

I have to say that little tutorial that Mrr23 posted seemed like the best and easiest way that anyone has ever posted here. Seems like everyone heat them up or something and brings the control arms to the shop. Chiltons makes it seem easy so why is everyone saying it's so hard?

 

not necessarily hard, but can be dangerous if something slips and things fall and kill/mame people. also, some people damage teh tread area under the bottom and then can't put the zerk fitting in.