Ball joints and torsion bars.
 

Hi, all. I have a 2000 Blazer 4WD. I need to replace the upper and lower ball joints on one side.

Do the torsion bars have to be unloaded like it says to in the service manual, or is there a workaround? Thanks.

I've never unloaded my torsion bars and I've not only done ball joints, but replaced an upper control arm. To tell you the truth, I don't even know why its necessary to unload the torsion bars. By using a jack and a couple bar clamps, nothing has ever sprung out of control or anything. But that's just what works for me.
Could be I'm wrong.

it might just be a safety thing kind of like unhooking your battery to do anything to a car. if the shock has to come out and you may have to releave some pressure of the control arm with a jack but yeah ive done a bunch of ball joints on these things no need to mess with the torsion bars