vertical play --> ball joints?

[Chisheng Huang <cph@domain.elided>]

Greetings,

My left front wheel on my 87 Milano has vertical play.  Does this mean
it's about time to replace the upper and the lower ball joints?
Grabbing and shaking the wheel in any other direction don't generate
any play.  My shop manual indicates there is a special tool for ball
joint removal and replacement.  I wonder if a 2-prong puller will do
the job.  Can this job be done by a home mechanic?  

How easy is it to remove a steering knuckle after those 2 nuts holding
it to the upper and the lower ball joints are removed?  Do I need any
kind of puller or special tool for this?

Thanks a lot.

Chisheng Huang
L.A., CA, U.S.A.

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