Hey Guys,

I'm not a wrench, so keep it simple please.

I've got a '01 Ranger, 4x4, 95k miles on it. I took it to a very popular shop for the "lifetime alignment". They told me the upper ball joints need to be replaced, and I might as well change the lower ball joints as well. $1,100.00. The upper ball joints are Torsion ones.

I have a angled curb at the end of the driveway. I don't hear anything when I exit or enter the driveway. I thought when your upper ball joints were going you would hear a clicking or thump sound. I don't hear anything.

So, when the upper ball joints are going out on the Ranger, do you hear anything?

 

Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. Your best bet would be to jack up the truck and get a buddy to grab the tire and move it while you take a look... or get the mechanic to show you how much play is in it while the truck is in the shop.

If the your lowers are still original I would definitely consider replacing them. $1100 sounds pretty steep to me though!

 

lower ball joints are always going to be expensive, I believe they think they have to take out torsion bars etc, so their labor will make it higher.

 

I should have know this. We did this on my daughters Dodge. Dodge!!! Don't get me started!

 

I got the upper and lower ball joints replaced. I also had the plugs replaced with Bosch Platinum plugs (I know some of you don't really like non OME plugs), and the ignition wires replaced.

I replaced the fuel and air filters myself. I used a fuel filter from Napa Auto parts. They said it was better then the OME one. Napa part $27, OME filter from the dealer $37.
I used a K & N air filter. It stated 1 to 4 extra horse power over a regular air filter, $57.

I spent a pretty penny, yes lots of them!

This was all done yesterday. So far, I'm SMILING! Its put a big grin on my face! Throttle response is back. Quicker take offs! It should also be getting better gas milage too. I'll find out with my next fill up.

 

those ball joints are fairly simple to replace. when i do them at home for parts and labor for Moog i charge $500 and for the O'Reillys brand $400