Steering Knuckle Question
 

Do you need to use a spring compressor to remove the steering knuckle? I need to replace the ball joint in the knuckle. I was going to take the knuckle out and bring it to my mechanic to press it in for me, but if I need a spring compressor then I'll let them do it.

IIRC the ball joints are pressed into the UCA and LCA.

the spindle..

no you do not need a compressor.

you can actually leave the tie rods on the car if you are just removing the spindle

if you notice on the spindle, the tie rod bolts to it.. which the tie rod mount bolts to the spindle.. unbolt the mount with the tie rod still attached and then remove the spindle from the UCA and you are good to go

Don't know which car you have, so I don't know if this applies.. on my w123, the FSM says yes, the knuckle can be removed without removing the spring. Normally, the UCA hits its stop and limits the downard travel of the wheel, but when you disconnect the knuckle from it, the shock does that job when it hits its internal extension limit.

Since the shock's shaft can apparently be unscrewed from its internal stop (the FSM warns against doing just this in the shock replacement section), I'd play it extra safe and wedge some blocking under the LCA prior to disconnecting the knuckle.