So, driving at a ultra low speed today when the passenger side lower ball joint dropped out.

Soooo, lots of questions. Should both the bottom AND top be replaced at the same time? Whichever the case, I plan on keeping this jeep for a good long time, so I would be interested in a grease able joint and per heaps one that is easyily fixed when worn out. Is there such a thing?
If I do the passenger side, should the driver side be changed as well? I checked them not long ago, and there wasn't any slope that I could see.
Finally, I'm on a VERY tight budget so cost is a consideration. This is my daily driver and I plan on doing some over landing if I can so the absolute cheapest Would probably not be the best option. Thank you for all the advice!!
Oh, links would help if you have them to your suggestions......

Poop!! forgot to mention that this jeep has a 2.5 frankinlift too!! Thanks

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2006 CRD
2.5 Frankenlift,ARB front bumper with internal winch.snorkel soon to have rock lizard bumper, sliders and roof rails, 2nd gen filter head
GDE eco tune-need trans upgrade and new TC
Beaverton Oregon

Moog greaseable lowers and then I'd highly suggest the upper control arms from Jeepinbyal
they have replaceable ball joints and are the best option out there
get the ones for a lifted KJ and be done

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I did the bottoms with Moog's when I put my lift on a few weeks ago just because I was already in there. Since I put on JBA arms as well, the tops were replaced by default. I rented a ball joint tool from Carquest and it was still a PITA using an impact driver to pop out the old ones.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

A definite second on the greaseable heavy duty Moog lowers, ( part # K3199 ) and the JBA upper arms...The JBA upper arms are the only upper arms with replaceable ball joints (worth buying). If for some reason an upper ball joint needs to be replaced, after installing the JBA upper arms, the same ball joint is available through Napa auto. The part number is NCP 2601313...The same ball joint used on Chevrolet 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks from '88-2000...Definitely heavy duty enough for our Liberties. Aside from tearing a boot, grease these ball joints regularly (a squirt or two of grease with every oil change) , and they'll probably out last the life of your Jeep...

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Black '05 Renegade. Front suspension: Frankenlift, Moog HD LBJ's, Audiboy cut CV's
Rear suspension: OME 948's, 2 extra upper ISO's, Rancho RS 5000 shocks.
31X10.50X15 Duratrac's/ProComp 152's
ARB bumper, Mopar skids, JCR stage III's, Reese hitch with tractor lights, Champion shackle insert, "homebrew" on board air, 1000 watt inverter

For lower ball joint replacement, I wrestled with the Advance Auto Part rental ball joint press, and I could not get enough spacing/travel for the LBJ. I was successful with the Autozone lower ball joint press, and the supplement kit that according to their listing, is for the 2WD KJ. Mine is 4WD, so I don't know why their listing says 2WD, but it works. Might want to get the BJ press and supplemental spacer kit from Autozone to save some headaches.

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JBA 4" lift, IRO Tri-link w/ wwdiesel bracket, JBA sliders, 235/85-16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs, Mercedes Benz forged ultralight wheels, Weeks stage 1 and 2, Weeks lift pump and harness, Weeks battery tray and AGM battery, GDE tune, Suncoast TC, updated front pump, HDS 001 T-stat, ARP studs, Front and rear Detroit/Eaton Truetrac LSD.

"Popping out" the old ones is best done with a BFH and a bit of pent up frustration. Yes, beat the hell out of it, it's scrap anyway. Then carefully use the BJ tool to install the new one.

Bob

Thank you for all the help on this!!
$870 to fix one side!!! (A bit of damage to the boot and others misc items included) my question is-should I take this in for the recall or just go with the serviceable ball joints and be done with it?
I'm unsure if the recall applies since my jeep is lifted and if they will do the work, I have not had much luck with my local jeep dealer. Thanks for the additional help!!

Ken

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2006 CRD
2.5 Frankenlift,ARB front bumper with internal winch.snorkel soon to have rock lizard bumper, sliders and roof rails, 2nd gen filter head
GDE eco tune-need trans upgrade and new TC
Beaverton Oregon