Xterra question

[diablo9420]

Hi, my mom jus picked up a 2000 xterra xe 4wd 3.3l and I need to replace her front lower ball joints and repack or replace the front wheel bearings.

I was wondering whats the easiest/propermway of replacing the balljoints?

And theres some slop in the steering wheel cant figure out where its from, the idler and pitman arms seem fine (dont know much about that steering setup), found out the steering wheel turns the rod into the gear box but the wheels dont move is there something in the gear box that i tighten or what?

Thanks for the help much appreciate it