I've gotta replace upper ball joints, and outter tie rod ends. But just a few weeks later, I will have to take apart the front end again for a shock swap (getting rebuilt). I don't want to damage the ball joints, and suspect that smacking with a hammer won't pop loose a new joint.

Anyone use these little two jawed pullers? Do they cause any damage at all?

I would just use the hammer tap method on the upper balljoint. It won't hurt it and should work just as well on an newly installed joint.

I haven't tried the tie rod end, though.

I've used a 2 jaw puller on tie rod ends before, no problem. The boot stays intact.

Ball joints.... Same thing. Only I think I used a pitman arm puller. Same 2 jaw approach, just sturdier.

I rent tools like that from AutoZone and have used a puller for my tie rods when I was replacing the dust covers on the outer section last year. Worked great.

I have to go with the puller method especially the kind that have fixed jaws, they are more stable that way. I can use a pitman arm pulley for my ball joints and tierods too, but that is for a 3rd gen. You might need a smaller puller for the tierods, Autozone has a smaller one with fixed jaws too. You can't beat free tool rental, even if you don't buy the parts there!!

I tried the hammer method but messed up the threads on a ball joint that way. With the puller, you just have to tighten it until everything pops apart.

Thanks guys.
Sounds like they'll work fine. Hopefully I'll have this thing apart and back together next week.