We did these at the shop where I worked years ago, but it was always the line mechanic doing the work and I never got involved beyond writing up the workorder. I have a press; should that be enough or will I need to buy a balljoint arbor press kit? They're on sale at Harbor Freight
Have looked for hours on the Internet, can't find any articles that aren't about the 1302 (bolt-on) balljoints.
It looks to me as though the biggest problem is going to be the limited purchase area on the control arm surrounding the balljoint, I've contemplated adding some weld bead to extend that...but if anyone can give me some specific guidance/pointers before I enter those woods it'd be much appreciated.
I'd try it. If it doesn't work you can always farm it out later to Carquest or some place like that. Use some very solid steel to brace the arm. Me and my friend did the inner bushings for my super and used thick blocks of wood and some (what we thought) pretty thick steel for the arm to sit up against and it kept popping out from under the press because it was flexing just a tiny bit. We found a really thick industrial piece of steel after that and the bushing popped right out.
Just be careful putting the new one in, not much advice for you to center it, but I know when they're done wrong the boot will pop off and you'll never get it back on (thanks a lot Chirco's...).
I did this a year ago with HF 20 ton shop press and some large sockets. Took about five minutes to get the old ones out and fifteen to set the new ones strait in place. I did manage to put a tiny hole in one boot that I sealed with aquarium sealant. Still keeping the rain and grime out in the PNW, I do check it often.
