I Have a 2001 f150 4x4 screw with 85,000 miles. It has been making a clunking sound when going over bumps. I checked the ball joints and the lowers have about 1/8 inch of freeplay in them vertically. Would this be bad enough to consider replacement? Is an alignment required after replacing the balljoints? I will probably do all 4 at the same time.

 

A balljoint should have zero play in it. If there is, they need replaced.

An alignment isn't absolutely necessary, but it is strongly recommened. If your alignment is off, it can cause your new balljoints to wear out very quickly. So if you're going to do it, do it right and all at once.

 

exactly what I would suggest also

 

Just talked to a local shop and they said to replace upper and lower ball joints with moog parts its going to run about 510 bucks. 294 in labor, 68.80 for each moog upper control arm and ball joint, and 39 for each moog lower ball joint. And another 60 if it needs an alignment. All parts have a lifetime warranty. Does this sound like its in the ballpark?

 

Doesn't sound too bad. If I remember the dealer quoted me close to that for just uppers. I did Moogs myself. They are greasable and have replaceable balljoints, instead fof complete upper, for future reference.

 

Yeah its kind of funny how some shops will screw you if you let them! I called around just to get a couple bids and another shop said 800 plus tax! haha They must be off there meds!

 

It ain't always that they are out to screw someone, some people just place a higher value on their labor than others ...
... and some have all the work they can handle at higher rates so there is little reason to drop rates.
It's the customer who is free to shop around.

 

What he said^. I'd rather pay a little more and get it done right by a reputable shop than take it to a place that may cut corners to save money. And if your going to local shops the price they're charging for labor is likely what they need to make ends meet.

 

Well for 300 dollars less I get parts with a lifetime warranty and a shop that guarantees there work for 1 year/12,000 miles. SOLD!

 

I wasn't arguing or flaming, just saying that it's a marketplace. I know guys who I can get to do stuff at half what others charge, but I'll have to go back behind some of them and check everything.

That's not to say the guy charging half rate of others because he's trying to get established isn't gonna do a great job .... he may go way out of his way to do the best job everytime. Once he get's established and get's all his test equipment off the Snap On truck and has a good deal of regulars and a good rep, chances are he'll go up too.

I'm just pointing out that higher rates ain't necessarily someone ripping off people, he maybe can get it and keep his customers.

That was all. The price you got sounded OK for all 4.

 

Got my truck back today, 552 out the door with 4 new ball joints and upper control arms. Then took it to les schwab for an alignment, and they said it was perfect, no adjustment needed therefore no charge. Everything is nice and tight and no more clunking!

 

What's the best kind of grease to make these puppies last forever?