i bought upper and lower ball joints from oriley auto parts and brand name is master pro. and i went to replace my upper and the way they are made is the dust shiel/grease boot come off seperate from the joint with a backing plate. so i was wondering to you put the shield plate from the top along with the joint and tap it in or put the shield on the bottom of the control arm and the joint on the top and bolt it in. i have a 1998 blazer 4x4 and never done ball joints. need help asap thanks

 

No tapping should be required, the metal dust shield and rubber boot should go on below the arm after the joint is inserted from the top. The bolts hold it all together. The existing joints should have been installed this way.