2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 98.5 2wd ball joint replacement

[BadDNA]

I've got to replace all 4 ball joints on my 98. 5 2wd 2500. I've tried searching the forums and come up with lots of confusing information but I'm not really any clearer on how to proceed. First, can all 4 joints on my 98. 5 be replaced or am I looking at a set of new lower arms? Is the replacement a straight forward press out the old and press in the new type of job or is there cutting and/or welding to be done? I'm a pretty competent shade-tree mechanic and with the right tools at my disposal haven't run into a job yet I couldn't handle, is this another one of those?

 

[CATCRACKER]

press out press in. on all 4/ do the uv joints while your there/ put new ball joints in freezer/ rent the ball joint press from napa /impact wrench helps/ 12 shoulder 15mm for the 4 bolts to get the rotor off/ 1 15/16 or 1/11/16 socket and big breaker bar and cheater pipe to get big nut on rotor loose-find it at carquest/watch the seals when pulling axle/ if axle seal leaks it may take 3 months for them to heal/ dont take out 15mm bolts until you have loosened big 1 ?/? nut lose/ dont over tighten big nut b/c it could cause wheel bearing failure/ when pressing ball back in dont booger threads/ need a hand when replacing rotor for the dust sheild line up process/ on and on i got to run have fun! you will save yourself $800 but will burn up an entire day on your 1st shot/ have someone press the uv jounts out and in for you/ save reciept lifetime warranty on ball joints.



my new acronym: SFMAG (sorry for mispellings and grammer)

 

[BadDNA]

Great, but I have a 2wd, not a 4wd. Similar process?