Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: lower ball joint broke, buick electra park avenue, buick electra

Question
The car is a 1983 Buick Electra Park Avenue. Luckily I was going very slow when my passenger side lower ball joint broke and I came to a very quick halt. I was told I should also change the upper ball joint. How do you change them and what tools are needed? I have a few mechanic friends that should have the tools I need. Also, what appears to be a brake shield that covers the back of the disc got shredded and something made a deep groove in the sidewall of my tire. Thanks.

Answer
hello shannon
yes uper and lower should be done i allways both sides it is only a pickle fork which is needed and a big hammer and just baisic hand tools . the backing plate you shoud be alble to straghten the rip in the tire is from bad ball joint . good luck to u hun and u have a pretty name pete