Ball Joint Probelms-
#1
10-28-2007
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Location: Waterloo, Iowa
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Ball Joint Probelms-
I took my truck in earlier this week to get the oil changed and they said that when they were doing the courtesy check they saw the boot was ripped on the ball joints (drivers side). They said that there is 1/4" play in the top one, and 1/8" play in the bottom one. They said the parts would be 67.73 for the upper and 68.80 for the lower one. They are charging 152.00 for labor on the upper, and 120.00 for labor on the lower. The total cost would come to 408.53. Is this a fair price? Thanks!
#2
10-28-2007
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If you had 1/8th inch play in EITHER balljoint, your truck would shake like a frog in a microwave when you drove anywhere.
The whole surface area of a balljoint is about 1.25inches on our trucks..
Do they mean theres that much play in the tire when its suspended? With THAT much play, *I* would assume its a loose wheel berring or something of that nature.
The whole surface area of a balljoint is about 1.25inches on our trucks..
Do they mean theres that much play in the tire when its suspended? With THAT much play, *I* would assume its a loose wheel berring or something of that nature.
#3
10-28-2007
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#4
10-28-2007
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IM with these 2 .
First D is wright if there is that much play you will know it , when ever you drive it will feel super loose from that side .
Second 94stx is also wright
Upers are 63.99 at orileys , 120 something for ones already pressed in the upper control arm , 39.99 for lowers
If you have basic hand tools the only thing youll need is a Ball joint tool and you can get a loaner for a refundable 100 deposit .
Ill warn you cause ive done it on both my ranger and my old 96 3/4 ton
its a PITA and youll need a buddy it will probally take the better part of a day but its not hard they just fight you tooth and nail . also change them both sides upper and lower so its just on headache not 2 .
But before you do that pull the tire and check your bearings like D said .
First D is wright if there is that much play you will know it , when ever you drive it will feel super loose from that side .
Second 94stx is also wright
Upers are 63.99 at orileys , 120 something for ones already pressed in the upper control arm , 39.99 for lowers
If you have basic hand tools the only thing youll need is a Ball joint tool and you can get a loaner for a refundable 100 deposit .
Ill warn you cause ive done it on both my ranger and my old 96 3/4 ton
its a PITA and youll need a buddy it will probally take the better part of a day but its not hard they just fight you tooth and nail . also change them both sides upper and lower so its just on headache not 2 .
But before you do that pull the tire and check your bearings like D said .
#5
10-29-2007
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#7
10-29-2007
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Jake is onto something.
Most places will check the front end for anything ' loose ' VEFORE doing an alignment. Tie rod ends, rack and pinions, balljoints, wheel berrings.. if anyone is worn/broken/out of tolerence, a proper alignment can't really be done.
Go to a different place then you initially went, tell the people there ' Can you check to make sure everything is tight for me ? I checked at my friends garage but he doesn't have an alignment machine so he couldn't do it. '
This will do 2 things.
#1, if they find something loose, they will probably SHOW it to you as you informed them you already had a garage look at it. They will WANT to show you they are better then ' joe down the road '.
#2. this will also prevent you from spending 50-150$ on an alignment that would be worthless in weeks if something was wrong.
Most places will check the front end for anything ' loose ' VEFORE doing an alignment. Tie rod ends, rack and pinions, balljoints, wheel berrings.. if anyone is worn/broken/out of tolerence, a proper alignment can't really be done.
Go to a different place then you initially went, tell the people there ' Can you check to make sure everything is tight for me ? I checked at my friends garage but he doesn't have an alignment machine so he couldn't do it. '
This will do 2 things.
#1, if they find something loose, they will probably SHOW it to you as you informed them you already had a garage look at it. They will WANT to show you they are better then ' joe down the road '.
#2. this will also prevent you from spending 50-150$ on an alignment that would be worthless in weeks if something was wrong.
#8
10-29-2007
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#10
11-01-2007
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#11
11-01-2007
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Well.. If its a loose wheelberring, it could lead to excessive post wear on your spindles.. KACHING! good cash to replace spindles. If its a rod end.. it could hurt the rack and pinion..
If your front end has excessive play and is making noises as you state, Put it off the road till it can be fixed properly. Theres no reason to endanger yourself and other motorists and the value of your vehical when you know something is wrong with it.
If your front end has excessive play and is making noises as you state, Put it off the road till it can be fixed properly. Theres no reason to endanger yourself and other motorists and the value of your vehical when you know something is wrong with it.
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zabeard
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04-11-2007 08:36 AM
