No you do not need a press. I recently did upper and lower ball joints on my 95 T Bird and it is all bolt on parts. you cant buy just the ball joint, you have to get the whole control arm with the sealed ball joints already in it.
The ball joints on a 97 Ford Thunderbird are replaced by placing the vehicle on jack stands, removing front wheel and rotor, and unbolting the steering knuckle. A ball joint puller is then used to remove the ball joint and a special installer tool is used to press the new one into place.
you take off the tire and then take off the brake rotor and calipers and the the spendle and need a ball joint remover , rent from auto zone and then press out ball joints and then press in new ball joints and reassymble!
A press fit joint is located in the inside. This is what brings the joints together.
Seperate steering Knuckle from I-beam and use Ball joint press for removal and Instalition
The answer given is to remove tie rod ends... You need to get a ball joint press to remove them. Its not a hard job, but I would recommend getting a haynes or chiltons manual that can show you the process step by step I would advise you to mark the threds on the rod . Each ot the ball joints will be held by a nut with a carter pin remove the pin and losen the muts and screw the the ball joint off of the shaft and replace the new one to the place where you have marked the the new ball joints should come with new pins and nuts I would further advise to change the entire lower control arm which last i did one (last week) only cost around 65 bucks, this includes the ball joint and bushings on the arm. much better investment and ultimately easier to do (no ball joint press needed)
You need to remove the spindle and press out the ball joints & press in new ones
you need a ball joint press which you can rent at your local auto parts store
You need a ball joint press to do that job. Remove old ball joint with sledge hammer and press new on into control arm.
You need to have a "Ball joint press".
i suggest you replace upper and lowers at yhe same time, you will need a ball joint press either way. but you need to remove steering knuckle as a unit. then press in/out ball joints. not a big deal i you have the tools ,you also could bring the steering knucle to a shop have them press the ball joints in .then reinstall knuckle yourself.
you will probably need a ball joint press and a splitter
The original U-joint is held in place with a plastic lock. I heat the ends with a torch until the plastic locks ooze out. After it cools you can press the joints out using a large vise or a U-joint press.