Ball Joint Price Comparisons
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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Ball Joint Price Comparisons
Hello all. F350 4WD CC that needs new ball joints... left side is bad, right side is getting there. After shopping around, I received three very wide ranging prices. All are for extended wear ball joints, both uppers & lowers on both sides.
Ford dealer: $1200 - $1400
Local spring shop: $1000
Les Schwab Tire Stores (They say they do a lot of ball joints): $650
Any reason not to go with the lowest bidder here? Any reason for why the wide range of quotes?
Ford dealer also suggested I automatically change the axle joints as long as they are in there changing the ball joints & that there is no way to check the axle joints until it goes bad in some cases.
Truck has 166K on it. I'm not the original owner, so I can't be sure the joints have been replaced in the past.
Thanks in advance.
Ford dealer: $1200 - $1400
Local spring shop: $1000
Les Schwab Tire Stores (They say they do a lot of ball joints): $650
Any reason not to go with the lowest bidder here? Any reason for why the wide range of quotes?
Ford dealer also suggested I automatically change the axle joints as long as they are in there changing the ball joints & that there is no way to check the axle joints until it goes bad in some cases.
Truck has 166K on it. I'm not the original owner, so I can't be sure the joints have been replaced in the past.
Thanks in advance.
Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 93
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Ford put out a Service Bulletin several years ago about the proper order and torque specs for tightening the ball joints on all Super Duty and Excursions. While I have not had a problem with it, I have seen 2 cases where owners had ball joints replaced and then had steering return and binding problems. Removal and reinstallation using the Ford procedure then corrected the problem, and at the cost of much additional labor. That being said, I replaced the joints on my 04 and never had a problem at all. Just thought you should know.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
If the joints in your truck have grease fittings, they have been replaced. If not, it's hard to know for sure. $650 to do uppers and lowers seems pretty decent, including labor. If Schwab really has done a lot and you have a moderate confidence in their abilities, go for it. You might consider DIY, if you want to control costs and be able to test/verify the axle u-joints, rather than take someone's word for it, when it's all apart and on a lift.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 466
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In years past, I've had Les Schwab do a variety of front end work, including ball joints on a couple of vehicles.
No problems with their work. I had one of their ball joints fail after 18mos. They replaced it and aligned the vehicle at no charge.
Their warrantee is good at all Les Schwab stores (in case your traveling or move).
No problems with their work. I had one of their ball joints fail after 18mos. They replaced it and aligned the vehicle at no charge.
Their warrantee is good at all Les Schwab stores (in case your traveling or move).
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
i bought my balljonts at napa and got about a 40% discount on the most expensive greaseable ones they had $270 out the door. then i had a trusted family mechanic install them. he had them done in 5 hours and charged me $425 so all said and done i spent $695. if your gonna do it replace them with greaseble units.
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