Not sure if this is in the right forum list or not. I have an '00 F250 SD 2WD 5.4ltr w/75,000 miles. Dealership says I need new upper/lower ball joints both side, new steering linkage both sides, new shocks all around and an an alignment. Quoted $2,258.oo for parts and labor. Thoughts? Does this stuff last longer/shorter than 75K? I drive it dailey and tow a 21' boat on the weekends. Thanks.

 

Ford ball joints are a known weak spot, in my 97 250 I was on my third set at 100K... Other stuff could go too, depending on the use/care it got. Price for repair sounds high - about right for dealer prices, i.e. high...

 

Welcome to FTE. As Jim stated, that price sounds high. Quite probably way high. I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but if nothing else you could probably change the shocks yourself. I'd recommend getting an estimate from an independent shop and see if you can't cut that price at least in half.

Has the steering linkage been greased on a regular basis? I wouldn't be surprised if you only had to replace part of what the dealer recommended. If you're still running the factory shocks, change those now. You'll be amazed at the difference in the ride.

 

Any decent front end/alignment shop can do the work, for probably way less than 1/2 of what your dealer wants. Call a few and get quotes.

Be glad you have a 2WD truck, The 4WD truck wear these parts out much faster. We've seem ball joints needing replacement in as little as 40,000 miles.

 

Thanks for the replies. I use to be a gear head but just don't want to do it anymore. Servicing the truck, Rubicon, boat, and motorcycle is all I want to do now. Anything more and it goes off to the shop.