Balljoints

Topic: Balljoints (Read 2740 times) previous topic - next topic

Balljoints

January 05, 2006, 02:34:33 PM

Okay, lets try this again. Power went out right when I was going to hit the submit button.

Since the weather has been so bad lately, I just took the car in to a shop to get it checked out (clunking) and get an estimate done. Found the lower ball joints bad (exactly what I thought) but went ahead with some nice estimates. $240 for replacement balljoints and $440 labor? As far as I know, these things shouldn't cost more than $50, right? That and they're much less than $400 worth of labor to do them. Hard to believe this place gets such good reviews when they have estimates like that.

So what are the good and the bad branded balljoints available/What should I go with? Easiest way to remove the things without the special tool? Or should I just find one to use?

Then there's always the rear struts and shocks they found bad...and its sure felt like they are for the last few months. Those have to wait though, since I've been stuck going paycheck to paycheck since November.

Balljoints

Reply #1 – January 05, 2006, 02:40:14 PM

Yeahhhh that's a little steep to replace ball joints...especially when you can get brand new control arms with ball joints for a lot less than that.

I don't think the brand of ball joints matters so much, just make sure they are greasable! The sealed units (like the original Ford ones) just aren't that great.

As for replacement I don't know. When I had a ball joint go bad on my Mustang, I took it down to this local guy who works on people's cars at his house. We just left him the car and the balljoint, he pulled the control arm off the car, replaced the joint & put it all back together for like $40.

Balljoints

Reply #2 – January 05, 2006, 02:43:41 PM

its not that hard, but you will need an alingment after more likely then not. the "special' tool is just basically a fork shapped wedge.

Balljoints

Reply #3 – January 05, 2006, 03:07:46 PM

Oh, yeah. Alignment is fine. Sure beats paying $700 to get something weighing a pound replaced

Surprisingly, Autozone's balljoints are priced lower than other parts stores in the area (for the Rare Parts one they all seem to have). Should I go with, say, the Duralast ($35)? Just don't want to have to replace the thing again in a year.

Balljoints

Reply #4 – January 05, 2006, 03:12:05 PM

Cost around here is about $60-75 US each for Moog. My mechanic pounds them out with a big hammer. On install he does use clamps to get them initially seated, then the air tools do the rest when they're all back together. You can do it yourself but it's not fun. Definitely shop around man, that's a major gouge job.

Balljoints

Reply #5 – January 05, 2006, 03:26:36 PM

Quote from: Seek

$240 for replacement balljoints and $440 labor?

Do these $240 balljoints cook your dinner and wash your clothes? Jeez

A pair of new control arms is <$200.

Balljoints

Reply #6 – January 05, 2006, 05:19:40 PM

Les Schwab is half the price...and wanted to see the quote so they can laugh at the other place

Balljoints

Reply #7 – January 05, 2006, 05:39:06 PM

That price you got was probably from them quoting the replacement of both the control arms. Before I got my car from my brother he had it in at Firestone and that's about what they charged for those parts and the labor. I think that may have also included an alignment as well. So While it may seem high, it's possibly not too far off.

Balljoints

Reply #8 – January 05, 2006, 11:48:29 PM

Man you can rent the ball joint press at autozone. I've used it numerous times and it works great. I would red lx is pretty much right. but dont go with the valucraft at autozone! Get the duralast!

Balljoints

Reply #9 – January 06, 2006, 12:02:30 AM

Yeah, the special tool is like an over sized C-clamp, I definately suggest using one as it makes the job so much easier, you jast have to remember to have a jack under the a arm so the spring doesnt pop out. Too bad you dont live in central FL. I own one of those tools, and would certainly do that job for a hell of a lot less than $440!! Even at our shop rate of $68, they were going to charge you over 6 hours!! I can do that job in less than 2, on the ground with nothing but a jack and a jack stand.

Balljoints

Reply #10 – January 06, 2006, 01:51:58 AM

Its fine, just going to go ahead and have a place replace the control arms and bushings on both the front and rear, repack the bearings, and do an alignment for a fair $400. Some things aren't worth my time during this season, and this can't wait until nicer weather. The thunking has gotten really bad

Balljoints

Reply #11 – January 06, 2006, 01:55:16 AM

Actually, I forgot about that...I read somewhere that Ford says you have to replace the entire control arm, you can't just replace the ball joint. Obviously that's not true...

That's probably what they quoted you.

Balljoints

Reply #12 – January 06, 2006, 07:11:51 PM

Quote from: Red_LX

Actually, I forgot about that...I read somewhere that Ford says you have to replace the entire control arm, you can't just replace the ball joint. Obviously that's not true...

That's probably what they quoted you.

Yeah, that is how Ford still likes to sell ball joints for some vehicles. It really sucks when the vehicle is still under warranty, and we have to do a whole control arm for one stupid bad ball joint. But then again, if we didnt have to do it that way, I wouldnt have gotten a couple of extra sets of arms, and then swapped out new aftermarket ball joints for about $75!

Balljoints

Reply #13 – January 06, 2006, 08:32:24 PM

If old bushings are worn, then the new bushings will present a pleasant sense of tightness in steering and handling.

Balljoints

Reply #14 – January 06, 2006, 08:47:56 PM

If you want to keep the car I highly suggest moog or TRW lifetime warrenty ball joints. They essentailly the same thing (both made by federal mogul) and last forever. The Ford sealed ones fail in about five years / 60,000mi. The really cheep autopartstore replacements can wearout within a year.

As for the shop. Many places mark up parts about 10% - 15%. Most shops charge $60 to $80 for labor, per hour. And, according to mitchell, ball joints are 1 1/2 to 2 hours per side.

To replace the ball joints you do not need the pickle fork (yes, thats what they are called) but the c-clamp to press them in is essential.

Or else you can just replace the control arms. But seized bolts may present a problem their.

Several places may be willing to do it cheeper.