hello all, I am trying to replace both upper and lower ball joints on my 1996 blazer. i was able to get the ball joints off, since this was the first time I had to remove the rivets. i was able to get the lower ball joint out but I had to cut the bottom of the balljoint to get it out. My problem is how do I get the new ball joint in place? There is not enough clearance to get it back in? the tie rod is off, is there something else I need to remove?
thanks for your replies

A Haynes manual would help you but here's a link to Autozone. Scroll 1/2 way down the page to the 4WD vehicles part.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/18/c9/0f/0900823d8018c90f.jsp

Thanks, I have the Chilton's manual, and I also saw that in autozone, but there seems to be alot more to it since I have already done that and still cant get them out.

did you take the axle nut off so the hub/ knuckle will come off the axle etc. for clearance

That's what I do. Take the axle nut off and pound the shaft with a brass mallet, careful of the studs, I usually leave the nut on the end of the shaft until the shaft is loose. When you push the shaft in, it should give you just enough room to get the joint in.

No, I didnt take the axle nut off. I got it in by putting it in as far as it would go and beatin it with a rubber mallet until it passed the CV boot.

So for the other side, I should loosen the axel nut first, sounds like an easier way. I am also going to need a puller to loosen the shaft though, right?

I've never used a puller. I hit it with a heavy brass mallet, loosen the nut but leave it on in case I hit the threads, and be careful of hitting the wheel studs. Then when the shaft is loose enough, I take the nut the rest of the way off so I can push the axle in.