Has anyone done this? I have heard they require a press, and that if you don't have one you're pretty much stuck having a shop do it for you, has anyone had to this and if so what is a reasonable expectation of much I will have to spend? Thanks again.

 

I just had mine done and yeah without a press at home you get raped on labor charges. cheapest I found it was $60 for both sides. (ouch)

 

this is a stupid question, but what kind of grease is used in ball joints?? I mean is one type of grease better than anouther?

 

You can rent a press for free from Autozone.
You can only replace lowers, uppers require whole a-arm be replaced.

 

Just use a BIG fat hammer and pound those damn ball-joints out!
Your gonna throw 'm out anyway and you will at max chip some rust of the suspension arms. Greasing in new ball-joints is advisable since you'll want them easier removed next time (f.e. during car maintenance)

Using ball-joint-presses sucks! Trust me: no garage/shop is using them and I sure as hell can't get along with them either!

 

The one you rent from AutoZone is same as what they use at the dealerships.

Once everything is unbolted and out of way, only takes 5 minutes to R&R a ball joint.