Greetings fellow members,

I've got a '04 coupe with about 80k miles and the r&l lower ball joints are completely worn out. I've read the service manual and it decribes removing the shocks and coil springs and calipers before removing the ball joints. It looks pretty straightforward and within my capabilities except that I don't have the factory recommended ball joint puller and coil spring compressor. Here is my question: Can anybody recommend cheap substitutes for the very expensive Miller Tools (#9168 Ball Joint Puller and #9151 Spring Compressor with #9152 Clamping Plates) the manual shows to remove the ball joints and coil springs with? I used a generic spring compressor when I installed Eibach springs and it was a real chore. Ebay searching has revealed what look like cheap copies of the high quality tools (see these links: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Coil-...item588445661a and http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...item5630497d80 )I suppose another option is renting the recommended tools; Does anyone know of people who rent them? Finally, Does anyone have opinions of who of the aftermarket suppliers of Ball Joints offer the best product? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gary Gable