SD ball joints...How much $$$...Please Help!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
SD ball joints...How much $$$...Please Help!
Hi all,
Got the call from the local FORD dealer...and almost fell to the floor with the long list of problems with my NEW/USED 2003 F250 SD SC SWB XLT V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s with 88,400 miles.
Went in for the 90,000 mile maintenance:
1. Upper and lower ball joints need replacing = $1100 parts + $615.00 labor
2. Auto 4x4 hubs stripped and vacuum acuator need replacing = (price included in ball joints price)
3. Rear u-joints (2 ea) = $40.00 ea + $150.00 labor
4. 4 wheel alignment = $49.95
5. Brakes front and rear need replacing = $560.00 total OBTW...I'll do the brakes myself...at half the cost with better quality after market parts.
Shouldn't the upper/lower ball joint replacement also include the 4-wheel alignment??? I mean...
Plus the normal stuff in the 90,000 mile service (fuel filter, air filter, trans flush, transfer case flush, oil change, cooling flush).
My concern is with #1, 2, & 3. Doesn't that seem like a lot of $money$??? I priced some upper and lower ball joints and they were only $158.00 for all four of them.
Any dealer folks out there??? Maybe you can give your expertise here...
Need your help here folks!!! Any input...Thanks!
biz
Got the call from the local FORD dealer...and almost fell to the floor with the long list of problems with my NEW/USED 2003 F250 SD SC SWB XLT V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s with 88,400 miles.
Went in for the 90,000 mile maintenance:
1. Upper and lower ball joints need replacing = $1100 parts + $615.00 labor
2. Auto 4x4 hubs stripped and vacuum acuator need replacing = (price included in ball joints price)
3. Rear u-joints (2 ea) = $40.00 ea + $150.00 labor
4. 4 wheel alignment = $49.95
5. Brakes front and rear need replacing = $560.00 total OBTW...I'll do the brakes myself...at half the cost with better quality after market parts.
Shouldn't the upper/lower ball joint replacement also include the 4-wheel alignment??? I mean...
Plus the normal stuff in the 90,000 mile service (fuel filter, air filter, trans flush, transfer case flush, oil change, cooling flush).
My concern is with #1, 2, & 3. Doesn't that seem like a lot of $money$??? I priced some upper and lower ball joints and they were only $158.00 for all four of them.
Any dealer folks out there??? Maybe you can give your expertise here...
Need your help here folks!!! Any input...Thanks!
biz
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Seems outlandish to me but the alignment price seems to be OK. Had mine done today for that exact same price.
Item 1 - at $100/hr, which is probably high, they would be estimating over six hours to do the ball joints. Seems like a pretty long time even if it includes chasing parts.
Item 2 - This could be contributing to the high labor rate in itme 1 but I suspect that I over estimated the labor rate. Still seems like alot of time to do this work.
Item 3 - $150.00 to replace two sets of U-joints. Unl4ess there is some new fangled, more difficult to get off, way they've started using to attach u-joints to a drive shaft, this is awfully high. I would say no more than an hour to do this and probably not that long.
Nothing that needs doing seems to be that difficult. Why not tackle it all by yourself. If you can do the brakes, you can certainly do the rest of it, sans the alignment.
Item 1 - at $100/hr, which is probably high, they would be estimating over six hours to do the ball joints. Seems like a pretty long time even if it includes chasing parts.
Item 2 - This could be contributing to the high labor rate in itme 1 but I suspect that I over estimated the labor rate. Still seems like alot of time to do this work.
Item 3 - $150.00 to replace two sets of U-joints. Unl4ess there is some new fangled, more difficult to get off, way they've started using to attach u-joints to a drive shaft, this is awfully high. I would say no more than an hour to do this and probably not that long.
Nothing that needs doing seems to be that difficult. Why not tackle it all by yourself. If you can do the brakes, you can certainly do the rest of it, sans the alignment.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Berkshires Western Ma
Depends on whats stripped, I can only reply on the hub part of repairs had mine replaced by ford dealer 4 times, each time between $400-$475.00. I would do them yourself and forget the stockers most guys here swear by the Warn Premiums and I have to agree. My 5th set i did myself in 1/2 an hour (never did them before) with the Warns and they are great. Part # 38826 set, cost between $165.00 low $225.00 high. I got mine from Amazon.com $165.00 with free shipping arrived within 4 days in excellent shape.
Last edited by BerkshireCoverit; Nov 30, 2005 at 01:54 AM. Reason: explain
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 772
Likes: 3
From: Mount Airy, MD
Originally Posted by biz4two
Hi all,
1. Upper and lower ball joints need replacing = $1100 parts + $615.00 labor
My concern is with #1, 2, & 3. Doesn't that seem like a lot of $money$??? I priced some upper and lower ball joints and they were only $158.00 for all four of them.
Need your help here folks!!! Any input...Thanks!
biz
1. Upper and lower ball joints need replacing = $1100 parts + $615.00 labor
My concern is with #1, 2, & 3. Doesn't that seem like a lot of $money$??? I priced some upper and lower ball joints and they were only $158.00 for all four of them.
Need your help here folks!!! Any input...Thanks!
biz
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214083
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Here are some more pics.
Bare housing with knuckle and axle removed.
Axle with new seals installed.
Knuckle with new Moogs pressed in.
Perf Friction Rotor. Suweet.
And nearly done.
Bare housing with knuckle and axle removed.
Axle with new seals installed.
Knuckle with new Moogs pressed in.
Perf Friction Rotor. Suweet.
And nearly done.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 772
Likes: 3
From: Mount Airy, MD
Originally Posted by Fat Diesel
Knuckle with new Moogs pressed in.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I actually put a plug in the upper because I wasn't sure about the clearence with the u joint. I did that after the pic was taken. I think I will be able to put the 90* Zerk when I need to grease it. Yeah, I wish the rotors would stay looking that good.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: People's republic of MA
Fat Diesel, do you happen to know if that tool would work for inner axle seals as well? I'm about to tackle that project and was wondering what type of driver would be needed. Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
They actually go on with your hands. It is a press fit, but barely. Also make sure you have a nice pair of "external" snap ring pliers. Some have been able to find a auto parts store that will rent you a ball joint press tool that will work or even loan it to you. I was unable to find one, so I had the machine shop press them.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque
Great info Guys! I appreciate all the GREAT advice...and those pics are perfect!
However, is it Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to replace the outer axle seals when doing the ball joints? Or is it just a preference?
biz
However, is it Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to replace the outer axle seals when doing the ball joints? Or is it just a preference?
biz
