I am doing the front end on my car right now. Parts are cheap for these cars. If you are planning to keep the car until it turns into a lump of iron oxide, or some other horrible fate renders it dead, I would replace *everything* that you can. It is a big job, but it is even more of a PITA to have to take it apart again should you need to replace something else in the near future. Personally, I like the idea of not ever having to think about anything in the front end for another 200,000+ miles.

Getting the lower ball joints out is a matter of brute force, but very straightforward (especially after soaking overnight with PB Blaster). But don’t even think about trying to get them back in by yourself without renting the proper tool! If you are thinking about having someone press them in for you, be very careful in whom you select.