New dealer control arms are convenient, but most costly. Folks have borrowed the AutoZone ball joint tool and got it to work for the most part. Bushings can be chiseled/beat out or burned out. New bushings can be pressed in with a vice or creative use of threaded rod and sockets.
I divide suspension work into (a) needs springs compressed and (b) does not need springs compressed. The steering linkage - tie rods, drag (center) link and idler arm do not require springs compressed. However, it does require and additional alignment and the parts are only about $150. If your steering linkage is looked tired (loose, busted boots) I'd replace it to save an alignment later.
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Brian Toscano
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