does this price seem right

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Mar 23, 2005 | 11:40 AM

kgunn

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does this price seem right

I took my 99 f150 into the dealership I bought it from and had them look at it. They told I needed new ball joints and new linkage. they told it would be $700 and some change does this price seem right. They also told me I might need an alignment afterwards. Will I need this alignment?

Kgunn

Mar 23, 2005 | 12:05 PM

pfogle

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From: Oak Harbor, OH

Yes that is about right, and yes you will need an alignement. The dealership labor is probably about $70 an hour, plus the parts.

Mar 23, 2005 | 02:36 PM

peppermrj

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From: Southwestern Pa.

Ever hit the wrong key and lose a post on the last sentence.

I had ball joints done at the dealer under warranty for over $500. Not sure what you mean by linkage bet I'm sure that makes up the difference. 2 years later and I need them again. Lucked out tho. Found someone local that happened to be from my old neighborhood. He was a tech at the dealer I bought the truck from but had left and started his own garage. $40 an hour labor and aftermarket ball joints ended up costing me under $200. It's been 3 years and no problems yet. I hope to get 4 years at least. Lifetime warranty on the parts he got me from Advance Auto Parts but still have to pay labor.

Mar 23, 2005 | 03:08 PM

bigdaddyII

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From: Southern Louisiana

i bought the parts myself and found a mechanic that i trust to change them out for me. the dealership tried that line with me and i refused to pay that much. these dealerships have a manuel that they go by and it tells them approx amount of time each job will cost and they tack a couple hours on there for good measure. i worked at a dealership and one of the service managers told me this, i inquired at another dealership and was told the same thing. why pay more than is necassary when it could be done for half of half of the price you would pay at the dealership?

Mar 23, 2005 | 07:13 PM

Racerguy

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Joined: Aug 2002

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From: BC, Canada

Most dealerships are like the one I work at and charge what the book says the job should take unless they run into problems such as broken bolts or whatever. If the book says the job should take 4 hours that's what they charge and that's what the tech gets paid whether he does the job in 6 hours or 2.
Definately get quotes from more shops though if you're not sure.

Last edited by Racerguy; Mar 23, 2005 at 11:56 PM.

Mar 23, 2005 | 07:23 PM

FordPickupMan351w

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Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Waynesboro, PA

If you have problems with Ball joints, I would recommend going aftermarket. There is a lot better out there than OE and $700 seems like a pretty good price. Look around though at the smaller garages, as they usually can get a pretty good deal.

Mar 24, 2005 | 10:46 AM

peppermrj

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From: Southwestern Pa.

In some instances they might not just be replcing a ball joint alone but the whole arm including the ball joint. If I remeber correctly it is like that for my 98 on the upper control arm. If finances not an issue and you have a dealer you whose service you like and trust, go for it. With college bills coming up for my third I'll be doing a lot DIY. Let us know how you make out.

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Mar 24, 2005 | 11:29 AM

kgunn

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Thanks for the info

Thanks for the response to my issue. I went ahead and had the job done, I couldn't drive the truck the way it was, even going down a smooth road it sounded like I was in a hay wagon, squeeking all the down the road. All though when I got there to drop it off they wanted to charge me for an alignment, but I told them that I wanted the alignment included at no charge, I thought it was only fair seems the truck was in alignment when I took it to them. They were receptive and did the alignment for me at no charge. Now the wallet is a little lighter but the truck rides quiet and smooth again. I don't have a garge to work in myself or the real know how to do it, and since we still have a couple feet of snow I am not rolling in the snow. again thanks for the responses to all.

kgunn