Ball joint replacement
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New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Florida
Ball joint replacement
I have a 95 Ranger 2.3 with 251,000 miles. I noticed outside tire wear on the driver side and inside tire wear on the passenger side. I took it in for an aligenment at Sears and they told with it will cost about $320. They said that I needed a lower ball joint on the passenger side and also a cam bushing. The cam bushing was $12, the ball joint was $70 and the alignement was $50. Does this seem like a reasonable price?
I would like to replace the ball joints myself, can anyone tell me how hard this would be.
I would like to replace the ball joints myself, can anyone tell me how hard this would be.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Randolph, NJ
Ball joint replacement
The prices sound about right for the parts. You may be able to a little better on them. The alignment shouldn't be too much itself. You can do them yourself if you are fairly mechanically inclined, I'd definitely not take it on as a first project. I should have done mine myself. I figured that "professional" mechanics would have had a better way of getting the ball joints out that just using a ball joint press I could have rented at Autozone for free and an air impact wrench to crank down on it, but I was quite wrong. That's exactly how they did it, I watched, and paid $150. And to boot (no pun intended), they didn't even put the dust boots on correctly. There were off the joint, and then I messed them up trying to pry them up to where they should sit.
Lesson learned: Next time, I'm doing them myself.
I can't say whether it is the right decision for you however. Also, is your truck 2wd or 4wd? I believe it will make a difference in the parts.
-Jim
Lesson learned: Next time, I'm doing them myself.
I can't say whether it is the right decision for you however. Also, is your truck 2wd or 4wd? I believe it will make a difference in the parts.
-Jim
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
From: Randolph, NJ
Ball joint replacement
The ball joints aren't that too bad of a job then, if you've been through a clutch and water pump. It takes a some time to get in there to them, as you have to take off the wheel, then bang the sucker out spindle with a pickle fork. I found that easiest with the rotor and shield off which requires taking the caliper off as well. Then you can just bang the ball joints out. Then it will take some time with the press to press the ball joint out of the lower control arm, and to press the new one in. Then you have to put everything back together. 
Be sure to get a manual for specific instructions.
Just to add up their prices,
(I'm assuming they'd replace both ball joints)
$70 *2 + $12 * 2 + $50 = $214
If their guess was $320, that is about $106 of labor which is 1.5~2 hours or so. So overall, it's not a bad estimate, but I know the feeling of how shocking it is. If they were only replacing 1, then you are looking at a 3rd hour of labor which is still not unreasonable. I guess it all depends on what it is worth to you.
Be sure to get a manual for specific instructions.Just to add up their prices,
(I'm assuming they'd replace both ball joints)
$70 *2 + $12 * 2 + $50 = $214
If their guess was $320, that is about $106 of labor which is 1.5~2 hours or so. So overall, it's not a bad estimate, but I know the feeling of how shocking it is. If they were only replacing 1, then you are looking at a 3rd hour of labor which is still not unreasonable. I guess it all depends on what it is worth to you.
