Got new tires last week and went in for an alignment today. Dealer (they had the cheapest price believe it or not) said they couldn't do the alignment because the lower ball joints were so loose, the alignment wouldn't be accurate or something along those lines. They then quoted around $700 to replace them.

I called the normal place I go for auto stuff and they quoted me $650 with an alignment. Their magic book said 2 hours of labor per side ($320) and he had $115 each for the joints.

I looked at Autozone and saw they have "Duralast/Ball Joint - Lower" for $30.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search

Is that the only part I'd need or is there more to it than just that? Seems a little off to be charged $115 for a $30 part but is there a mounting bracket, some bolts I need, etc? If nothing else they will usually do the work if I supply the part so even that would save a lot.

Also, if anyone knows of a good write up (preferably with pictures) for replacing these, I'd appreciate a link.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.



Oh yeah, almost forgot. I did check into the RECALL thing but that only covered the uppers and I was told my truck had that done back in 2005 per the official records.

 

Lower ball joints IIRC need to be pressed on/off... Its not 2 hard of a job.. did it a few time on our vehicles... you can get a ball-joint service kit at harbor freight for around $70 if you do it yourself. hmm that kit was 29.95 went i bought it 2 years ago... must have got popular.

http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wh...-kit-4065.html

 

I'm in the same boat. My lower ball joints are knocking and I need to change them before they come apart. I did a little research here and Moog ball joints are the preferred part but cost more that the Duralast or whatever Advance sells. Napa sells Moog. You can rent the ball joint press from Autozone for free and do it yourself.

I've worked at Autozone and at a dealership and can tell you that most people get humped when they get their cars worked on. Unless they're sourcing factory parts, dealers are getting their parts from the same places that you are, literally. They double the price of the parts right off the bat. I've had customers walk in the store with estimates for the EXACT same part, same brand, same part number, with the price of the part quoted DOUBLED! When you ask them why, they say that they have to use approved parts from approved sources. Nevermind that they're the same part from the same source.

I'm not saying there isn't a time and a place for the dealership or hiring a mechanic but honestly, anybody with some basic hand tools and the ability to read simple instructions can save a bunch of money by doing it themselves.

 

I did it without a press, but it is easier: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...joint-out.html

 

Here is a link that i found in the DOC forum... hope it helps

http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/Ba...eplacement.pdf

 

+1 on the ball joint press kit, If you dont want to buy, these can be rented / borrowed from auto zone or advanced autoparts.


I would also recommend you get your hands on a front end service kit (from autzone/advanced . Or at least the ball joint separator from that kit another big time and effort saver

I have replaced the lower ball joints on my truck twice, once w/o the kits and the second time w/ both kits. The time and energy saved by these kits almost make it mandatory that you obtain them before servicing the lower ball joints. I would also recommend you spend a little more money and get Moog lower ball joints- well worth the extra money... i had to replace the the first cheepo set of balljoints i put in with Moogs as they started to fail w/ in 30K miles

 

Sure if you want to do it the easy way......

 

I have a 2003 durango 4x4. I'm trying to replace the lower ball joints and can't get the old ones out. I see talk of a split ring or 4 tabs, I have what appears to be a dust cap on top that looks like it is part of ther control arm and I'm stuck , any help is appreciated.

 

push up from the bottom. that cap is really the bottom of the balljoint keeping it from going any lower took me and my dad awhile to figure that out lol. btw Breaker bad and pipe. best thigns ever

 

I just had this done both upper and lower ball joints only cost me 520.00 for everything . You are better off just replacing the whole unit .its less cost I paid 100.00 for each part .