Ford replaced my lower ball joints and tie rod ends about 20000 miles ago after over 90000miles on the originals. I recently took car due to thump up front and I thought maybe I had a loose wheel since they just rotated tires. Tech said I need lower ball joints and front sway bar links. I think I am being hosed, especially at over 800dollars. I only drive about 10000 miles per year here locally on roads that are in good shape. No off roading, etc. How can the lower ball joints be worn already. I even get the alignment checked. Any comments. Thanks

 

-Do as much work as you can yourself as shops have huge overhead, and need to charge the amount they charge to survive & be profitable.
-Ball joints today can be total crap. Ford / Moog / TRW is the only brands to use. The china stuff I have used in the past and you are lucky to get more than 10k out of them.

 

Had cheap chinese lower ball joint installed on my F150 4x4 and got 5 years of hard service out of it, just had to replace it this year. Other side was replaced about 8 years ago with OEM Ford part (non-greaseable) and it's still solid.

My estimate at the shop was 7 hours labour to replace the 2 upper A-Arms (upper joints aren't replaceable on OEM) and 1 lower ball joint : total tab was $1250 plus taxes, and this wasn't at stealership rates.

I borrowed tools from the local parts store and installed quality aftermarket parts myself in 4 hours total cost $225, including beer. I will invest another $70 in a rack alignment to complete the job.

 

i prefer MOOG suspension parts, you should be able to to it for under $200 in parts. rent, borrow or buy the tools you need, the ball joint press is like $40 at harbor freight.

the rates and markup at shops is really high, but like said they have to charge that to stay in business

 

Moog part# K8695T on Rockauto.com $25 Pretty hard to beat that price. Rent the tool and clear a saturday morning, problem solved.

 

i would recommend renting an electric impact gun also if you do not have pneumatics, not necessary, but it will cit job time over 50%.