The only true part to your statement is that the suspension is still resting on the upper control arm...bmcdaniel explained it better than I did, I guess. What I said was if it was in a hanging position...o well...I give. Besides, what does it matter if you replace all the parts anyway, they are inexpensive...
That may or may not be true depending on your definition of "inexpensive" and your abilities. All I can say is I've never used them, even as a brake and front end mechanic back in the early 70's where there were a lot of suspensions with this set up. I never had a problem determining the conditions of ball joints. Nobody I ever saw or knew used them either. Maybe its more accurate but not in my opinion and experience. Probably another one of those engineered theories that just dont quit fit into reality.
I too have never used one and didn't have a problem takeing my Grabber apart. That one nut on the shocks is a b!tc# to get loose though. I found putting a jack under the lower control arm made it much easier.
