Ball Joint Recommendations
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Olathe
Ball Joint Recommendations
I need new lower ball joints but since I don't have a safe place to jack the truck up I'm going to have a local shop do them.
Now since I'm going to be shelling out I want to get good replacement parts so far after searching the forums I hear Moog being recommend a few times but their website didn't have any parts for my year of truck and other parts sites say they don't fit the OE lower control arms.
So what part is everyone talking about?
Also I have been quoted in the neighborhood of $500 for ball joints and alignment and I'm wondering if It would be cheaper just replacing the whole lower control arm and add urethane bushings?
Now since I'm going to be shelling out I want to get good replacement parts so far after searching the forums I hear Moog being recommend a few times but their website didn't have any parts for my year of truck and other parts sites say they don't fit the OE lower control arms.
So what part is everyone talking about?
Also I have been quoted in the neighborhood of $500 for ball joints and alignment and I'm wondering if It would be cheaper just replacing the whole lower control arm and add urethane bushings?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
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NO. It's more economical to buy a new upper control arm . About 90 bucks. You can
replace the lower balljoint with moog. I would also replace the bushings. Just have
the machine shop press out the old bushings and the ball joint at the same time. Have them install the new bushings and the ball joint is held in
place with a clip. Search this forum and theres a good post with pictures on the entire job .
You can buy the moog from Advance Auto Parts . I'm sure they have what you need.
replace the lower balljoint with moog. I would also replace the bushings. Just have
the machine shop press out the old bushings and the ball joint at the same time. Have them install the new bushings and the ball joint is held in
place with a clip. Search this forum and theres a good post with pictures on the entire job .
You can buy the moog from Advance Auto Parts . I'm sure they have what you need.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
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You want MOOG parts. They will have grease fittings on them, unlike the stock parts, so they should last 100k miles or better.
MOOG lower ball joints can be had off the internet for about $30 each. MOOG uppers are about $65 each and that is a new control arm with a replacable ball joint, should you ever need to do it again.
The alignment should run you $70-90. I will be doing mine myself, the ball joint press for the lowers is a $50 part and many times you can rent one for less. If you pay a shop $500 for the whole job, including parts, thats not bad. That is only about $200 in labor to do the whole thing and it is a bit of work.
MOOG lower ball joints can be had off the internet for about $30 each. MOOG uppers are about $65 each and that is a new control arm with a replacable ball joint, should you ever need to do it again.
The alignment should run you $70-90. I will be doing mine myself, the ball joint press for the lowers is a $50 part and many times you can rent one for less. If you pay a shop $500 for the whole job, including parts, thats not bad. That is only about $200 in labor to do the whole thing and it is a bit of work.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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Make sure you replace the lower control arm bushings. About 40 bucks a set. You should also purchase 2 sets of camber bolts . I doubt that your truck has them. Machine shops usually charge about 20 bucks per hole to press out old and in new.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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Moog ball joint on the bottom are a good idea. Cost should be $40 each. I dont know why your putting bushing in the arms. I have seen no wear in 200k miles on my truck. THe ball joints are pressed into position with a rental press from Auto Zone. You dont take the A frame off. Upper frames need to be taken off and replace frame and joint combo. Cost is $90 each. You need alignment if you do the uppers. The cam adjusters can help and some shops like them. YOu dont NEED them to do an alignment.
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Senior User
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Maybe it's a personal choice but I wouldn't put in new balljoints without
new bushings but that's just my opinion. More work but in the long run ,
you pretty much will have new lowers also.
new bushings but that's just my opinion. More work but in the long run ,
you pretty much will have new lowers also.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Olathe
Well I'm going to check to see if my shop will let bring in my own parts for them to install and have them just replace the ball joints and one other thing.
The other thing is my front right sway bar link it appears as if someone had sliced it long ways and it split open causing it to be real lose as well.
So the question with that is do I replace in pairs and I'm guessing Moog parts again?
The other thing is my front right sway bar link it appears as if someone had sliced it long ways and it split open causing it to be real lose as well.
So the question with that is do I replace in pairs and I'm guessing Moog parts again?
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giles45shop
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