Changing ball joints
 

Does this require a coil spring compressor? I can't find my manual right now, and I'm gathering parts to do this soon. Sorry for the noob question, and the search function on here is horrible.

no it doesn't.just a ball joint press

no spring compresser needed, just a balljoint press.

If it's the first time to change them, will I be able to get the rivets out with the lower control arm still attached to the truck?

yes.i cut heads off with a cut off wheel then knock them out with a air punch.i was thinking 99-up press in tho.not sure cuz i never have to change them on silverados.just steering parts mainly.replace alot off ball joints on ford and dodge's

I have a 250k truck and all ball joints and tie rod ends are SHOT. The wheels look like \ / LOL.

So I just support the lower control arm and coil spring with a floor jack, correct?

I have my Hayne's manual around here somewhere...

OMG the top one took like 5 hours because it kept trying to press in crooked, and the bottom one would not budge. Even with the weight of the whole corner of the truck and coil spring tension on it and a BFH until my ears were ringing, it would not break loose. Interesting experience...

I found the easiest way to remove the lower ball joint is to remove the lower control arm with the spindle attached. Turn the control arm upside down so the spindle is sitting on its top. Take the sledge and go straight down on the ball joint. Comes out first or second hit every time. Assuming this is what your were trying to accomplish?

you need to heat it or cut it out.i have to do it sometimes but becareful,the ball joint will explode.the last dodge i did lower ball joints on i had to heat it alot to get it out and it exploded.sounded like a bomb went off.

I compressed the spring a little bit to release the tension from the LCA. However the spring compressor I rented sucked and it did slip off twice when I was banging on ball joint - be careful. My rivets were a real pain. Cutting the head off and air hammer didn't work. I had to basically drill each rivet about halfway down, knock the head of and then a big hammer and an old bolt knocked the rivet out. To drill it out I used cobalt bits with cutting oil.