My 02 dakota QC v6 4x4 needs upper and lower bj's, first I'd like to know what some of you guys have paid to have them done at a shop? Also I'd like to know if this is a job that I can tackle at home, What experience level is this? I like to try and do my own work, but if its too hard then I will take it somewhere, thanks guys

 

can go 2 routes

Use an air hammer, chisel, and probably a torch and try not to kill yourself

Buy new control arms with new bushings and ball joints.

 

Do I really need to buy new control arms??? Control arms are $278/a piece, ball joints are only $120 for all 4! HUGE difference in parts price got the job, I had a guy I know who works at a shop and does side jobs there look at it and he quoted me $450 out the door, I just like to learn and do my own work..

 

$278 for a control arm? You're getting screwed.

Rockauto has them as low as $54 and about $90 for a decent brand that comes with ball joints.

 

to chisel, air hammer, and torch them out is a good ~1 hour job per ball joint, and pressing the bushings takes about 30 minutes. If you don't have an air hammer/air chisel, you can't do the ball joints effectively (The torch will do, but can incur other problems if you blow the hole bigger than it should be).

Each balljoint is held in with 3 1/4" HD rivets, as I recall.

 

Ok well the good news is that I only need. To replace the upper BJ's, so can I just buy the new upper BJ's and put them in? Or do I HAVE to buy new control arms also? I got all the necessary air tools, just don't have any money due to being laid off and lying for my wedding in 3 months