So yesterday I went to get some new tires on the front of my truck and get an alignment. Tires look great, but they said I needed to replace all four of my ball joints (2wd) before they could do the alignment. They wanted like 500 for the job, so I refused, hoping I could do it myself and save like ~300 bucks.

I looked at my ball joints, and they're stock (200k miles.. is it bad they're stock?), riveted in, and they make all sorts of nasty noises when I go around corners and hit bumps.. How big of a job is this?

Also, which brand would be the best? I've heard the name Moog thrown around a lot, but is it worth it as opposed to getting cheaper ball joints? I mean, the cheaper ones have grease fittings too..

Also is there anything else I should get changed/replaced while I'm in there?

 

The uppers are pretty straight-forward. Take an air hammer or a torch and take the heads off the aluminum rivets that hold them on. If memory serves, the lowers have to be pressed out but nothing a rent-a-tool ball joint press can't handle. As for Moog, I would recommend them. If its a matter of spending a few bucks more a piece, its worth it. I mean, a ball joint is a ball joint and if a cheap one fails you can get another one, but do ya really want to have to go through all that again? haha


And as a side note, it sucks yours is a 97. My uppers ar still covered under an extended warranty. Actually all 00-01's are.