.... drop the subframe, its simple and makes the job easier.
yesterday my father and I changed out third set of lower control arms on a contour, this time it was on my 99 SE. By far the easiest way to change them is to lower the sub frame.
you need to un-bolt the following
radiator supports, use wire to hang radiator
A/C dryer
front and rear roll mounts
steering cupling (done from inside)
ball joint pinch bolts
subframe bolts
A-arm bolts
and that is it.
You will need to support the engine while it is discontected from the subframe. Also do not use an impact wrench on the subframe bolts, remove them by hand as the rear ones will be very rusty but if you take your time and work the bolt out it will comeout without issue. Make sure you use alot of PB blaster on them before and during removal.
When you lower the subframe with a jack or two you will just need to keep an eye on the power steering lines, but there is slack in the flex hose that connects to the power steering cooler. With the frame lower you will be able to pull the bolts from under the transmission, also the ball joint will be easier to get in and out. finally the 4 bolt arms are worse to get into the sub frame but the straighter that you can have the arms, ie not twisting it down to get under the hub the easier it will go into the subframe.
one last tip, leave the plastic cover on teh ball joint until you are ready to connect it to the hub, this way it will protect the boot.
