Jeeezus, I knew it would be somewhat high, but this is going to break me? I just tested my lower ball joints this morning, and found slack in both. Passengers' side about 1/8" or so, and drivers like 1/4". I need wheel bearings since they're also making noise. I had no clue the dealer price was so nuts on this? Another place quoted me just over half what my dealer did. What gives??,,,,98

I'm taking the independent shop route, I believe. The place is clean, and gave me an honest estimate of what was wrong with it.

 

Alot of people just bring it to the dealer because they think that is what your suppose to do. That's why there are so many successful independant shops out there.

 

Hey Screamer, you're pretty handy with a wrench. Why dont you rent the tools and do it yourself. You'd save a bunch of money and nobody would treat your truck better than you.

Just a thought.

 

Well, I would. I have so much stuff going on right now it's not even funny. And there's also the accountability factor. If it fails, it's nice to have someone to take credit for the work. I'm also doing an eight hour drive tomorrow afternoon. No time to do it. The $1000, is the reason the dealer's not doing it, lol. My old Ramcharger is another story. I do ALL of the work on it......98

 

1g for that? umm this has to be a 4x4 truck.

 

Nope, it's a 2wd. It is done already, and the truck feels new again. Has that straight line feel, like it did when I bought it with 24k.
If you have a high mileage truck, I highly recommend having this done. The difference is like night and day.,,,,98

 

........I was going to say, you want Moog lower ball joints, since they have the grease port, and they cost about $70 for both lowers. Both outter wheel bearings should be around $40-60 bucks. Labor for doing all, should be around $200 - $300 (according to an estimate of a local independant shop).


Did you have only the outter wheel bears changed? ...and did it help the steering?

Tell me more details about you steering stabilizer. Does it cause the steering wheel to return to center faster and stronger? Does it help straight line driving? Does it provide a better "on center" driving feel? I am thinking about getting one and would like more details of the effects on highway driving. Thanks.

 

The dealer replaces the whole lower control arm instead of just the worn out ball joint.

That's one of the reasons their quote was so high.

Steve

 

Now I understand, so that would mean new bushings as well? That makes more sense. If I was going to go that route, I would make the A-arms the drop variety!!

The ball joints are Moog. Has the right angle lube fitting on top. A nice touch, IMO.

I bought the steering stabilizer second hand from an FTW member. The truck seemed to have a better on center feel, immediately noticable. It especially helps with potholes and the like. It cuts the seesaw steering wheel action on really bad roads. The streets are horrible here in Houston, for the most part. I also know about I-40. I spent a month in OKC a couple of years back. I don't know what was worse, the potholes or the crosswinds, hehe.,,,,98

 

98,

Did changing the wheel bearing help the steering? Did you change the inner AND outer wheel bearings? Do you know if they changed only the bearings or did they also change the bearing races?

 

I had them done almost exactly three months ago, and lately starting feeling like they were bad again. I took it back to the same shop so they could check it out, and was p****d by what they had to say. The mechanic says there was NO grease in them, as in none. Said it took ten pumps per side before any came out of the seals? I asked him about the possible longevity problems, whether no grease for three months would hurt them. He kept trying to tell me wherever I had it lubed should have filled them. He seemed to forget the fact that they put them in only three months ago? So, any grease they were missing was missing from the time they put the balljoints in. I think I am entitled to new ones? What do you guys think?,,,,98

 

I say he owes you new ones, and you need a new mechanic. First he gouges you on price and then doesn't fill them with grease? Go somewhere else.

 

Well, the grand was at the dealer, this place did it for $525 or something like that. All four wheel bearings and lower balljoints, camber kit, installation, and alignment. They should've said grease wasn't included, lol!,,,,98

 

Ok $525 is much closer to reality.

 

Not lubing a new part is a major F'up I would think that a written statement from the establisment stating that if anything deteriorates, breaks, or just leaves you unsatisfied they will fix it free of charge or at very little cost to you.

How does it feel after the parts have been greased .......... better? Also, you have to wonder now if they greased the front wheel bearings and tightened the caliper bolts etc.?

Good luck Screamer.