I am going to replace the ball joints on my 96 Lude. How do you know if you have to replace the control arm? Is it recommended to replace the control arm at all?

 

your LCA does not need replacing less you totally screw it up, in an accident or bent it so far you are actually messing up your camber

but I highly doubt you bent your LCA

Are you going to press out your ball joints or take it to a shop?

And to actually answer your questions...no you dint have to replace it, and you can only replace it with a custom LCA or an OEM since there is no aftermarket BB1/2/4/6/8 LCA's

 

Thanks. I got my DSS axles, level 2.9. So, I thought I would replace the inner and outer tie rods and the ball joints. Just wasnt sure about the control arm.

I will attempt to press them. Worse case scenario, I will take it to a shop.