I'm redoing the front end on my wagon and I'm looking for suggestions on what tools I'll need. From what I can tell, I'll need tools for four tasks:

1. pressing the ball joint from the strut anchor

2. disloging the tie rod end from its knuckle on the steering arm

3. pressing the bushings out of the control arm & rear bushing bracket

4. pressing the new bushings into the ctonrol arm& rear bushing bracket


For the ball joint, do I really need a special tool? I read somewhere you can just pop it out with a drift.

For the tie rod end, which works better, a pickle fork or a c-clamp type of press? I've read that some people prefer a hammer, but I'll save that for a last resort.

For removing the bushings, can I just use a bench vise and get some sort of pusher & receiver? I read that the front control arm bushing is a pain. Should I just go ahead and plan on taking them to a machine shop?