Are the upper ball joints on 97 convertibles pressed or do I need the whole arm?
 

I went to shop to get an estimate on the cost and the guy working the counter said the whole control arm would have to be replaced, but a lot of parts stores sell the joints separate.

The joints don't have any up and down play but they are a little loose, when I separated the joint to replace the strut the zerk moves a little bit when I jerk the stud around. You can't really move the zerk by hand with the weight of the vehicle on it though.