Ok had the ball joints done today along with one tie rod end. I am so glad I took your(the members) advice and had them done immediately. The mechanic showed me the old joints and how much play they had. He stated I probably could have gone for another hundred or so miles if I didn't hit any heavy bumps. Any way it cost me $695.00 for uppers and lowers and 1 tie rod. Is this a fair price?

Mike

 

I have no idea about price, but I'm glad you got your truck fixed. We all know your safe now, along with everyone else in your area.

 

Thanks Wendall

 

Don't know about Jersey but here in Memphis the going rate is about $90 per joint. I guess that's $360 for all the joints. Tie rod end would be extra. Raliegh Tire wouldn't align my new 31x10.50 BFG's w/out new joint's. I went to NAPA for the joint's and autozone for the loaner joint press, I was done for under a hundred buck's. It did take about ten hours on a Saturday but it was a cool experience that saved at least $250.

 

I think you go ripped off bro!

 

That is the story of my life. Either a dollar short and a day late or I have to pay someone to do something that I should be doing myself. I guess we have to spend money for convience. I called around to some other shops and my price was in the ball park. I do feel I spent a little too much.

 

I need all four ball joints plus a radius arm bushing in my 1993 E150 van. Been thinking about doing the job myself. Ten hours, huh? Did that include running for the parts and tools? Had you ever done them before, or was this your first time?

 

That price sounds reasonable for a shop ot do the work. Even fuguring $75 for each ball joint, 2 hours per side labor at a rough $65 per hour (average for shops here in So. NH), and a tie rod.... You're just about there at $700.

 

Like I said, I checked around (AFTER) I got the job done. Maybe if I shopped around I may have been able to find a shop to do the job for less, but my time is money. That being said, I really can't be with out my truck either. My truck is used for work, and having it wrecked on the side of the road with a ball joint out is not a good thing. Wasting a few days looking for a cheap price while still driving the truck is also not a good thing. Oh well, I got it done and my -ss has stopped hurting.

 

Hey man,

That was my first time replacing ball joints. The tough part of the job was separating and then pressing the joints back in. The tool to use is like a C-clamp with some cups that fit different types of joints. The old joints were kinda locked in from being so old, 92 model. The joints for my truck were about $17 a piece at NAPA. Oh yeah, that ten hours did include several trips to the parts store and at least an hour studying that puller/press tool.
Good luck

 

I need to replace my ball joints as well. Was looking at doing them myself and have never done it before. What tools are needed and is there a list of instructions in doing them?

How difficult of a job are we talking here? I got the time and patience.

 

Radius arm bushings can be BAD NEWS! I've done dozens of them and I think there were 1 or 2 that went easy and nothing broke! I'll almost guarantee that the shock mounts on the radius arm are going to snap off when you try to remove the shock. Extrtemely common on those. There are aftermarket repair kits for that problem, but most of the ones I have tried suck. Anytime I did anything with radius arm bushings, I would always price out the entire radius arm itself due to the problem with the shock mount.

Ball joints are no big deal. Just get yourself or rent a ball joint press and you'll be ok. Dont bother trying to do it without a press. It can be done, but so can't driving 3000 miles only using your feet. Not something you want to do!