To remove the lower ball joint I think most people undo the axle nut so they can pull the steering knuckle off to get at the lower ball joint under it.

Getting the axle nut off and then putting it back on seems like a hassle. I can do it I'd rather avoid it though if possible.

That got me to thinking. When the suspension is unloaded the LCA hangs down low. Couldn't I just undo the connection from the strut/shock absorber to the steering knuckle so that the steering knuckle and LCA can freely move up and down, then loosen the ball joint from the now free moving LCA and push the steering knuckle up to remove the ball joint or even replace the whole LCA?

 

Are you replacing the lower ball joint?

 

Yes sir.

 

I suppose you could. I always remove the axle nut, pot the joint out of the lower control arm, run the ball joint out of the knuckle with a snap-on air hammer, freeze the new joint, heat the knuckle and run it back in with the air hammer or you can even use a bronze punch and hammer method to re install. That is how I do them as it takes about 20'minutes round trip, but you have to have the spring/shock assembly in place to do it. If you are using a ball joint pressing kit then I guess anyway you can get to it should work. I caution that if you remove the lower control arm you will need to have the car realigned after which will add to the cost of the job. That is assuming the car is fine and an alignment is not currently needed.

 

Here is a good video on how to do this: