So, for all of you with 1st gen X's and Fronty's who ever need to replace your front lower ball joints and have been told over and over by dealerships and others (including myself at one point) that there were no replacement lower ball joints available and that only the entire LCA assembly would do for a replacement, that has been confirmed by purchase and installation not to be true....As many of us knew NAPA had a part # in their system for just the ball joint but had told me personally and others that they were not available and may never be available...That is no longer the case....as discovered by a member of TNT (Texas Nissan Trucks) NAPA currently has them in stock and available for $70 (vs. the $500+ to replace the whole are at my local dealership) including shipping under the NAPA part # 2601596. I just ordered one myself as my DS one needs replacing currently (paid the full freight and labor to have the whole LCA done at a dealership about 2 years ago when the rubber on the PS one failed)

Now my question....the removal and install of JUST THE BALL JOINT looks pretty easy...don't think I wouild try and tackle the removal of the whole LCA given Dagger and others difficulties...but my question is....Can the ball joint be replaced with the LCA on the truck and just the tire removed or how much of it do I have to take apart to do the ball joint?? Thanks for any info!!