Looking to replace tire rods and lower control arm. What brand should I use? and are the ball joints connected to the control arm?

the ball joint is replaced as a lower control arm. You will need to remove the tire, remove the nut that attaches the ball joint to the knuckle, seperate the ball joint from the knuckel, remove the radius arm nut, remove the bolt that secures the lower control arm from the subframe, and then remove the control arm.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement Removal Procedure Tools Required J 43828 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
4. Remove the wiring harness from the lower control arm.




5. Remove the cotter pin (1) from the ball joint (3).
6. Remove the nut (4) from the ball joint (3).



Notice: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

7. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J 43828 .




8. Remove the lower control arm front (1) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
9. Remove the lower control arm (1) from the vehicle and place in a vice.
10. Drill out the 3 rivets (3) retaining the ball joint to the lower control arm (2).
Use a 3 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to make a pilot hole through the rivets.
Finish drilling the rivets with a 13 mm (½ in) drill bit.

11. Remove the ball joint (4) from the control arm (2).

Installation Procedure

1. Install the ball joint (4) into the control arm (2).
2. Install the 3 ball joint bolts (3) and the nuts (1). Follow the instructions in the ball joint kit. Tighten the ball joint bolts (3) according to the specifications in the instructions.




3. Install the lower control arm (2) to the front suspension support (1)
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

4. Install the lower control arm front (5) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
Tighten • Tighten the front bolt to 107 N·m (79 lb ft). • Tighten the rear bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



5. Install the lower ball joint stud (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
6. Install the ball joint stud (3) through the steering knuckle (2).
7. Install the ball joint nut (4).
Tighten
Tighten the ball joint nut to 55 N·m (41 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation minimum-65 N·m (50 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation maximum to install the cotter pin.

8. Install the wiring harness to the lower control arm.
9. Install the cotter pin (1).
10. Install the stabilizer link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
11. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

Most front ends are set up basically the same way.First raise and support your front end and remove the tire.Both the upper and lower should look about the same.If you look at the control arm you will have an upper and lower ball joint and a tie rod end bolted to the steering knuckle.Remove the bolt on the tie rod end and use a ball joint separate to remove the tie rod end.Then remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle with your separator.Depending on which control arm it is if its the upper you will also have to remove the brake hose out of the way to remove the upper control arm.Once that's done you will see 2 bolts that hold the control arms to the frame remove these bolts and your control arm will come off,You might have to pry them a little bit to get them out.You also want to have something handy to block up your steering knuckle until your ready to put it back together.It wouldn't hurt to have a piece of wire just in case you need to tie something in place.And be sure you grease everything with a high pressure grease.

You can't stop short with front end repair or your just throughing money away . But upper and lower ball joints are the biggest problem on this vehicle . The uppers are not bolted they used rivits to hold them to the frame and with antilock brakes the vehicle shakes from side to side and this loosens the rivets once there loose the front end can not be alinged So start with that ball joints the rest of the parts are heavy dudty

Hope this helps and please don't forget to rate! Thank you!



Front ball joint with heat shield

Remove and Replace-

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle with jackstands.
   
3. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.
   
4. Unfasten the retaining bolts, then remove the ball joint heat shield.
   
5. Remove and discard the lower ball joint cotter pin.
   
6. Remove the ball joint nut.
   
7. Loosen, but do NOT remove, the stabilizer shaft bushing assembly bolts.
   
8. Separate the ball joint from the strut/knuckle assembly using ball joint/tie rod puller J-35917 or equivalent.
   

Do NOT damage the halfshaft boots when drilling out the ball joint rivets.

1. Drill out the rivets retaining the ball joint to the knuckle strut assembly and remove the ball joint from the knuckle. Use a 1/8 in. drill bit. Refer to the instructions in the ball joint replacement kit.
   

To install:

1. Position the lower ball joint in the strut/knuckle assembly.
   
2. Install the four ball joint bolts and nuts, as shown in the ball joint kit and tighten to specifications.
   
3. Install the ball joint-to-lower control arm. Install a new ball joint-to-lower control arm nut.
   
4. Tighten the stabilizer shaft bolts to 35 ft. lbs. (48 Nm).
   
5. For 1988-91 vehicles, tighten the ball joint-to-lower control arm nut 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) plus at least an additional 90° (11/2flats), plus enough to align the cotter pin hole. Do NOT overtighten.
   
6. For 1992-96 vehicles, tighten the lower ball joint nut to 63 ft. lbs. (85 Nm). Tighten to align the next slot in the nut with the cotter pin hole in the stud. Do NOT tighten more than 60° (1 flat) to align with the hole.
   
7. Install a new cotter pin.
   
8. Position the ball joint heat shield and secure with the retaining bolts. Tighten to 62 inch lbs. (7 Nm).
   
9. Install the front wheel and tire assembly, then carefully lower the vehicle.
   
10. Connect the negative battery cable and check for proper suspension operation
    

It could be several things.

1. Strut is worn and the rod is rattling.
2. The ball joint or control arm are worn. A new control arm comes with the ball joint and a new bushing.
3. The inner and/or tie rod end is worn, allowing the wheel to rattle.

Raise the car and support it. Twist the wheel back and forth while observing the tie rod. Look for play in the inner and outer connections. If this is ok, place a pry bar under the tire and lift up while observing the ball joint and control arm. You should not see any play. Look at the strut. Look for oil on the housing. Look for play in the rod or a loose connection.

Removal & Installation NOTE This procedure requires the use of the following special tools: J 9519-E Lower Ball Joint Remover and Installer, J 34874 Booster Seal Remover/Installer, J 41435 Ball Joint Installer, J 45105-1 Ball Joint Flaring Adapter and J 45105-2 Receiver.

1. On 4WD vehicles, remove the wheel center cap and drive axle nut.
   
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
   
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   • Tire and wheel
     
   • Wheel hub and bearing, if necessary
     
   • Outer tie rod retaining nut
     
   • Out tie rod from the steering knuckle using a suitable puller
     
   • Brake hose bracket retaining bolts and bracket
     
   • Upper control arm-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt and nut
     
   • Upper control arm from the steering knuckle
     
   • Lower ball joint retaining nut
     
   • Steering knuckle from the lower control arm using a suitable ball joint removal tool
     
   • Steering knuckle from the vehicle
     
   • Lower ball joint flange with a chisel
     
4. Install tools J 9519-E and J 34874 to the lower ball joint, then use those tools to remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm.
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   • Lower ball joint to the lower control arm, using tools J 9519-E, J 41435 and J 45105-2
     
2. Remove the tools from the lower control arm.
   
   • Tools J 9519-E and J 45105-1 to the lower ball joint
     
3. Flare the lower ball joint flange with J 9519-E and J 45105-1, then remove the tools from the lower ball joint.
   
   • Steering knuckle to the lower control arm
     
   • Lower ball joint retaining nut and tighten to 81 ft. lbs. (110 Nm)
     
   • Upper control arm to the steering knuckle
     
   • Upper control arm pinch bolt and nut and tighten to 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm)
     
   • Brake hose bracket to the steering knuckle
     
   • Brake hose bracket retaining nuts and tighten to 7 ft. lbs. (10 Nm)
     
   • Outer tie rod to the steering knuckle
     
   • Outer tie rod retaining nut and tighten to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm)
     
   • Wheel hub and bearing, if removed
     
   • Tire and wheel
     
4. Lower the vehicle
   
   • Drive axle nut, if 4WD, and tighten to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm)
     
   • Wheel center cap, if removed
     
5. Check the front wheel alignment.
   

you can usually find all the parts your needing parts and labor for tie rods, ball joints, control arms springs shocks idler arms pitman arms parts and labor will probably run you close to 1500 dollars probably lower.

Lift the passenger side of vehicle. Remove tire/wheel assembly. Remove the axle nut. Remove the tie rod end nut. Smack the side of the housing the tie rod end goes into to pop the tie rod end loose and out. Remove the sway bar link. Remove the lower ball joint nut. Smack the housing the lower ball joint goes into to pop the ball joint loose. Pry the lower control arm down to pop the ball joint out. swivel the rotor and strut assembly to the side. Pop the axle out. Reassemble in the reverse order.

Remove in this order: wheel, loosen the 4 lower ball joint set bolts, cotter pin and nut from tie rod, tie rod from ball joint bracket, ball joint from lower control arm, 4 lower ball joint set bolts, ball joint from suspension. Install is reverse but don't tighten the 4 lower ball joint set bolts.

torque is as follows:
ball joint to control arm- 112 ft-lbs
Tie rod nut- 67 ft-lbs
lower ball joint set bolts- 83 ft-lbs
remember to use a new cotter pin