I have done it with a needle for yrs

the boot will eventuly rot,but not from the needle

if its apart you can pull it up/off or your idea works

take it from some one that has had the wheel flop off and bang up the fender and door,then slid down a ditch

ball joints need replace when bad..its your call on how bad you think they are,for the price it cheaper in the long run

now I understand if you have to have a shop R&R them,it can get pricy,but thats why i leard a few tricks and do them my self and just pay for alinement

my 85 truck just got 4 new ones for 100 bones + alinement..well worht my life at highway speeds