Hi there. I'm brand new to this forum. I've got a 1999 Mazda B3000 4WD (essentially a Ford Ranger) with torsion bar suspension that I bought used a number of years ago. I just replaced the shocks and noted that both my upper and lower front ball joint boots are torn on both sides of the car and need to be replaced. I finally figured out that I need to buy complete control arm and upper ball assembly if I have the original upper ball joints on the car (the original control arm will not accept aftermarket ball joints...at least according to Moog). However, I am not sure that I have OE parts since all the ball joints have zerk fittings. Do the OE ball joints on this car have zerk fittings?

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, if you see grease fittings(zerk fitting) then they have been replaced at least once before

 

Thank you! I've decided I'm not going to take on this job myself after reading up on it more. A shop has quoted me about $1,100 to replace all four ball joints. The price includes a wheel alignment. Does that seem about right? They are estimating about 5 hours worth of work, which seems believable from what I've seen on the various youtubes showing me how to do this job myself.

 

In a shop, I would expect 4 hours, 2 hours per side to replace the 2 ball joints

Ford specs, both upper at 1.7 hours, and both lowers at 2.3 hours, so 4 hours total, which was my guess, lol

Yes if it was DIY in your garage or driveway 5-6 hours

So 5 hours at $100/hour

Whats the other $600 for?
Not even OEM ball joints cost $150 each, lol.

Oh forgot $150 for alignment, which is on the high side guesstimate

so $450 for 4 ball joints?

If your happy then I am happy

 

Glad I asked about the price. I decided to contact a mobile mechanic I've used before that has no issue with me buying the parts myself before the work is done. I can get 4 Moog ball joints for about $100 (or about $160 if you get them with the upper control arms) on Amazon. The mobile guy will do the work at my house for $545. Much better deal all the way around. Thanks again!

 

Now that sounds like a better deal all around

Always good to check all the options

You for sure should do the alignment after the install

 

Also check to see if your upper control arms have serviceable ball joints. Some do not.

 

My upper control arms do have serviceable ball joints, but I'm going to opt for replacing with upper control arm/ball joint assemblies regardless. It's not much more money to get the complete assemblies.

And, yes, I will be getting a front-end wheel alignment afterwards.

Thanks all. Enjoy the 4th!