Front End repairs

[completetech]

I need to replace my upper/lower ball joints and also sway bar.

any easy way to get this done or should I just shell out the $850 or so including parts and have it done with an alignment???

[Rileysowner]

I am far from a great mechanic and I did the upper and lower Ball Joints on my van. It was not too bad of a job. The most difficult part is drilling/grinding out the rivets that GM used to attach the upper Ball Joint. Rent or borrow a Ball Joint press the remove and replace the lowers and it will make the job much easier. I am sure there are posts here outlining the process for both upper and lower. As for the sway bar, if I recall correctly it have two end links that and two body mounts which would have to be unbolted. I have not done it, but it looks pretty straight forward.

[astrozam]

The job is more grunt work than technical, but you do need to understand what you are doing in order to do the job safely. You need to not only have the vehicle properly put up on jackstands ( with front tires off ) but you will also need to understand when you have to use jacks under the lower control arms to relieve pressure ( caused by the spring ) to be able to properly and safely remove the ball joints. As riley mentioned the top bj's need to be either drill out or have the rivets grinded off which can be a pita, once the bj's have been replaced and before the wheels go back on then you would need to remove the end links from the sway bar ( and if you live anywhere where there is rust ) this will be another pita job.

If you have no money but do have the time and a place to work on it then I guess you have no other choice.
If you can spare the cash and need the van to drive then find yourself a reliable place to get the work done for you.

just me 2 cents.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

What I would do is price up the parts separately from that shop. Find out what their labor charge is. Now, is that labor charge high enough for you to buy the tools you need to do the job yourself? Tools such as, grinder, punches, pickle fork, jack/jack stands, air hammer etc. If this is the case, do the job yourself.