I just replaced my driver side ball joints this past weekend. My XJ has 230k, you will NEED to rent a Ball Joint Press. My steering knuckle was also seized to the old joints so badly that I used a grinder with a 4.5" metal cut off blade in order to cut the ball studs so the knuckle would be out of the way. It was one of the most frustrating projects, but when all said and done, rewarding. However, I too, still have the "clunking/popping" noise. U joints are next.