1. Before you change ball joints, ARE they bad?
GM ball joints aren't major problems, most are replaced because they have busted boots, not because they are worn out
2. What shocks are you going to replace?
The bilstiens can be rebuilt for about half what new ones cost if you can stand the downtime sending them back.
Balljoints aren't hard to change. Upper ones have to have the rivets drilled out and replaced with bolts. Lower ones you need a tool you can rent for free at AutoZone.
You need a tool to seperate the tapered balljoints out of the spindle. There is a picture in the GM shop manuals. I made mine for about $3.00 Two 1/2 inch by about 2 1/2 inch bolts, 2 nuts and a long nut, (I don't know what you call it). Anyway, it will pop the balljoints out without using a fork tool or something that will wreck things.
If you have loose or vague steering vettes are prone to wear out the tierod ends or the steering rack. I would find a good suspension shop before throwing money at it. I have seen vette with over 150k miles with orginal balljoints that were still fine.
JS
