Ford Repair: 1998 Explorer lower ball joint, lower ball joints, upper ball joints

Question
Aloha Dennis, I have a 1998 Ford Explorer 2wd.  I replaced my upper ball joints as the boots were gone.  I noticed that my lower ball joints also need replacing.  Can the lower ball joints be replaced without removing the lower arms?  If so what type of press do I need?  Thankyou, Mike

Answer
Ford recommends replacing the lower arm, but I am sure you can replace the joint if you can get ahold of a balljoint press. Check with your parts supplier first; if they don't sell the joint separately then you'll have to replace the arm.

Keep in mind that this vehicle has torsion bars, which makes work on the lower suspension arm a real pain, and requires some special tools to do it right.