ball joints

[beer batter]

My wife got a coupon for a very large discounted oil change, wiper change, fluid refill and vehicle inspection. One of the many things listed as requiring attention are the left and right, upper and lower ball joints, they quoted over $1000 to have this done. I realize they make their money on just getting vehicles in the shop, then trying to have extra work done.

I'm a bit vague and what the function of a ball joint is. What is their function, is this a typical maintenance requirement (to need to replace all 4), and is that price within reasonable range?

[fishhuntwork]

Its not a maintance item but they are very important. They basically keep your wheel from moving in and out on top or bottom of the tire. If these are worn they could cause premature tire wear or if they break you will be buying more than just a ball joint. It sounds kinda strange that all 4 are bad but anything is possible. I'd maybe get a 2nd opinion and shop around. What type of vehicle is it?

[tyeeme]

It is not uncommon on a 4 wheel drive truck to need all at the same time especially if periodic maint is skipped I have 2 chevy pickups and both needed them over 120,000. Ball joints are fairly cheap but the labor isnt and while you have the front end apart you might as well replace all of them. As far as cost 1000 is not that bad of a price. You can do it yourself but usually need special tools and a torch and alot of patience, it is dirty bull work. It is also not uncommon to need other parts while changing them out ie pitman arms, idler arms.

[beer batter]

This is a 2001 Ford F150. Sounds like something I'll need to have checked out.

[Scott K]

You could just bring it back in and have them show you personally how loose they are.

[TooTallTom]

My dad and I did the ball joints on an Blazer I used to own. As was said, the labor is a real bear on that job.

In an extreme (and maybe not too likely) case, the wheel could flop over on you at speed. That with definitely wreck your day, and cost much more than $1000.

Like 4wanderingeyes said, have them show you just how loose those ball joints are. Also have them show you how loose they SHOULD be. There is normally just a little slop or play in the wheel, even when the ball joints are okay. I think that lots of quick-change places don't lube all the zerk (sp?) fittings that they should. That can contribute to the pre-mature wear of any part.

[fishing tech]

BeerBatter, What do you have for mileage? 80,000? Lower balljoints are pretty common on f150. The uppers, you have to replace the control arms. Book time is about 4.0 hours plus alignment. To be honest those are about the easiest to do.

[beer batter]

Mileage is 109700, the quote was for upper control arms, lower ball joints, and 2 wheel alignment (which includes caster, camber, and toe reset).

[Valv]

It is not a bad price, and yes ball joints are a pain to replace, especially on heavier duty trucks. Done many, and still cringe at the thought of working on them

[fishing tech]

At that mileage they are all probably loose if they have never been replaced. If you do have it done I would suggest Moog parts with grease zerks and make sure you grease them with oil changes.

[pulleye16]

Had the passenger side done on my 2000 f-150 at a shop for around $250! I honestly can't remember if it was both ball joints though. I would denfinitly get a second or third estimate. Now that you know the problem, call around for a quote or if in the bloomington area, I may have a shop in mine for ya'.

[fishtrap3]

I might just get to a differant shop for another quote. Had both sides upper and lower an a idler arm done for less that that with alignment. Couldnt hurt to just check!

[spearchucker]

I had both upper control arms and lower ball joints done, a tie rod end, and alignment on my Ford at Fleet Farm for around $800 - 900. I also had tires installed so the total bill came to around $1250, so they are in the ballpark with their price.

[1968]

Make sure NOT to use discount parts. There's some real junk out there today. Some shops are not above selling you premium parts and installing Chinese stuff instead.

[chasineyes]

Do any of you guys ever recommend putting a ad on craigsl/// for someone to do this. If I recall on my honda we needed a torch to break some bolts and such loose and a arbor or hydraulic press (which we have a work) to pop them out.

[mechanico]

beer batter, I agree the shop's probably right about the ball joints when you consider the high mileage. I didn't notice anyone telling you how you could die if one of those things fail at highway speed. You could have little or no control. What they really do is allow your front tires to turn corners and move up and down over bumps. They litteraly hold the front tires in place. If it's a reputable shop, that's not a bad price. I'd ask about a warranty. The last time I was doing ball joints I was thinking of just how much I would pay someone else to do it...

[Valv]

The last time I was doing ball joints I was thinking of just how much I would pay someone else to do it...

That's EXACTLY what everybody thinks when they do it themselves....

And this thought usually comes about 1/2 way into the job where you cannot go back and take it to Airjer to fix you up...

[311Hemi]

That's EXACTLY what everybody thinks when they do it themselves....

And this thought usually comes about 1/2 way into the job where you cannot go back and take it to Airjer to fix you up...

LOL...so true....even more so when you add in the hub/bearing assembly on the Dodges!! But then I look at what it cost me for parts vs what I could be getting charged to have someone else do it. Make a guy feel a bit better about going through it.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I didn't notice anyone telling you how you could die if one of those things fail at highway speed. You could have little or no control.

Ball joints rarely fail at highway speeds. Think about the load on the suspension when your driving down the freeway, pretty minimal. Now think about the load you put on it when your in a parking lot making tight turns, way more loaded and bound up. Most ball joints fail backing out of the driveway or pulling into a parking spot.

[spearchucker]

Either way, not good pr safe when they fail.