Ball joint labor time
#1
Ball joint labor time
Good day,
I'm hoping to get some help with a question. I just found out I need to replace all four ball joints on my 2000 excursion. (not bad considering this is the 1st replacement and I have over 200000 miles on it.) Question is this, I usually do my own work, but this seems a little too involved for a backyard mechanic so I brought it to a shop. 1st off they inform me its 300 for the parts (yikes) and then 5 hours of labor at 75.00 an hour. So i am wondering if they are shafting me or what. Does anyone know the labor time listed in chiltons for ball joint replacement? I know the parts price is high, auto zone has them for 1/2 that, but need to know about the labor time.
Thanks in advance
bob
I'm hoping to get some help with a question. I just found out I need to replace all four ball joints on my 2000 excursion. (not bad considering this is the 1st replacement and I have over 200000 miles on it.) Question is this, I usually do my own work, but this seems a little too involved for a backyard mechanic so I brought it to a shop. 1st off they inform me its 300 for the parts (yikes) and then 5 hours of labor at 75.00 an hour. So i am wondering if they are shafting me or what. Does anyone know the labor time listed in chiltons for ball joint replacement? I know the parts price is high, auto zone has them for 1/2 that, but need to know about the labor time.
Thanks in advance
bob
#2
Trusman
I have a 2000 excursion with 105,000 miles and I have 1 upper joint going bad.
I got a quote from les schwab here in Spokane Wa. and it was $200.00 for the parts and $200.00 for labor. He told me it would take about 1 1/2 hrs. I'd get a second opinion. I haven't done it yet , but it seemed fair.
I got a quote from les schwab here in Spokane Wa. and it was $200.00 for the parts and $200.00 for labor. He told me it would take about 1 1/2 hrs. I'd get a second opinion. I haven't done it yet , but it seemed fair.
#3
#6
thanks
Thanks for the quick responses. I know this is an involved job and ok ill go with the 4 hours of labor. but 300 for parts???? autozone has them for approx 30 for uppper and 45 for lower. Grand total parts 150.00. Where is the other 150 in parts comming from. I called the shop recently and asked if they are using dealer parts, thought maybe this was the reason for the hike, nope ordered from napa. Asked why the cost difference and i was told i dont know what i am talking about, I must have the wrong parts. So im thinking they are still trying to get over on me. I guess ill just find a different shop to goto, which sucks bec this one is right around the corner from my house. Well thanks again for the quick responses.
bob
bob
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
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#10
Originally Posted by rob5482
Thanks for the quick responses. I know this is an involved job and ok ill go with the 4 hours of labor. but 300 for parts???? autozone has them for approx 30 for uppper and 45 for lower. Grand total parts 150.00. Where is the other 150 in parts comming from.
bob
bob
#11
It's not a bad job to do yourself. Here is a great write up. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=354091 . If you do it yourself, get good quality ball joints like Moog. I ordered mine online, but found out later that O'Reilly's carries them. You can get the rest of the seals etc. at dealership. The other parts (dust seals, knuckle seals, o rings etc.) aren't cheap, that's where the extra cost comes from. It's a good feeling to do a job like this yourself. It makes me sick how much money I've paid the dealership to work on my vehicles over the years. Now I try to do most everything myself.
Last edited by hink10; 03-13-2006 at 11:34 PM.
#12
#13
Originally Posted by Forest
OK. How can you tell ball joints need replacement?
I have 74K on my "Ex", and hear a light knocking sound from the front end when passing over a bump. I'm thinking either tie-rod ends or ball joints. Opinions?
I have 74K on my "Ex", and hear a light knocking sound from the front end when passing over a bump. I'm thinking either tie-rod ends or ball joints. Opinions?
#14
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Originally Posted by Forest
OK. How can you tell ball joints need replacement?
I have 74K on my "Ex", and hear a light knocking sound from the front end when passing over a bump. I'm thinking either tie-rod ends or ball joints. Opinions?
I have 74K on my "Ex", and hear a light knocking sound from the front end when passing over a bump. I'm thinking either tie-rod ends or ball joints. Opinions?
to check ball joints you have to jack the front end up and then grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to move in and out or up and down. if there is movement you need a buddy to shack while you watch to see if its the bearing or the ball joints. if they are bad replace them in pairs. no sense in doing one then a month later doing the other!