I have some squeeking noise at low speeds when going over bumps in my 03 TL. I searched and believe I need to change my lower ball joints. My question is how do I go about this project, is it a DIY? Any diagrams would be much appreciated.

 

squeaking is probably not the ball joints. Clunking is usually a ball joint.

 

Have a real shop check it out for you before deciding whats wrong
Thinking and Knowing are very different

 

Yeah, I agree with the above ........as I've experienced how worn ball joints give their warning signs. My guess is that the suspension bushings may be showing wear, giving the occasional squeek. Have a shop get it up on a rack and check things out. Could save you some time, effort and money in the long run.

 

This could be sway bar links that usually go first in the rear.
You can test it while the car is parked by compressing it. Use short strokes/hi frequency i.e. do not compress too much but do it quickly up and down, just a little so that car bottoms a bit. If you hear that squeaking noise, those are most likely links. Buy them on Amazon and do know that you might need (more then likely) to cut off screws to be able to take them off. Hacksaw should work here.

When I had an issue with my ball joints, I did not even have a clunking noise.
But I had a few things pretty much at once, right CV joint, ball joints and front engine mount.
To check this, jack up the front (you can do one side at the time as well), grab the top of the wheel and pull/push it back and forth while looking straight into your upper ball joint. If you see the movement there, you do want to rush to replace it.
For lower, move your steering wheel all the way in one or the other side to get visibility and do the same. Also, for the lower joints you might need to use the bar to be able to see the play.

 

Lower ball joint was the cause of a loud annoying squeak on mine.

 

On a related note, I hear squeaks but it seems to happen mostly when it's very cold outside (say, 5 deg F or lower). I isolated it to the front passenger side (I pressed down on each corner when parked the last time I heard squeaking). When I take it to a shop/dealership, of course the car doesn't squeak to them and they say they can't find a problem.

Any ideas for a cold-only squeak in other corner?