'96 balljoint question

[SWB_Kid]

Hey peeps. I haven't been on here for quite some time. I actually hung up the wheeling for a while to take care of some other projects. But ya'll helped me out awhile back when I had issues with my grandmothers explorer.

So here it goes with issues with my mothers. stock 96, 4.0 4 door. Mechanic is telling her that the lower ball joint on the right hand side is bad. No problem. But, he is recommending that he do the left hand side at the same time because "all the stuff will already be apart for doing the right side".

To me, doing upper and lowers at the same time was a good idea, but what does the right side have to do with the left side, as far as common parts and disassembly?

If she does opt to have both sides done at the same time, is it smart to also have the struts replaced? They've never been replaced and with 100,000 miles on it, I think that they're LONG overdue, even though the dealer and a different shop told her that they were fine. I simply attributed that to it being such a PITA to do. But the front does seem to "float" on the highway like the struts are worn.

TIA.

SWB

 

[stubborn1]

The "stuff" will not already be apart to do the other side. I would still replace both sides, but your mechanic is kinda stretching this one. The only thing I can think of is that you will save an extra alignment by doing both at once.

Also - if he is going to be replacing ball joints you might want to think about replacing the tie rod ends (if you are going to keep the vehicle a few years longer). There is some labor savings changing these with the ball joints.

Forgot to add - your Explorer has shocks, not struts. If they are original, replace them.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Yeah I agree with stubborn, if your going to do it, do it all at once = upper & lower balljoints and inner & outer tie rods. I just did all mine myself this past weekend, set me back about 350, Gd Lck

 

[SWB_Kid]

Kinda what I was thinking ('cept for the shock/strut thing). I could have sworn they were struts. No matter. Ok. Thanks for the input. I wish I was there to do it myself. I'm in Canada for the next 6 months though for work. This one will be out of pocket for mom. Prolly looking at about $1000 to get it done.

Thanks again!

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

I got quoted $1100 & that was just for uppers & inner and outer tie rods but this was from the biggest SH%T+HOLE business on the planet (Dobbs)

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

what is the labor on a 2nd gen for balljoints?


i know its about 3.5 hrs. per side on a 1st gen

 

[EBInterceptor]

For mine, I had them do my other lower and one of my uppers since I wasn't going to have time, and the guy did them both in under an hour.

 

[Bandido]

I also have my 98 in for the lower Ball joints right now. They called me today and said that one tie rod is bend, so they should replace it as well...

I get it done at Sears and lower ball joints, tie rod ends and alignment is going to be $450! That's not to bad, I guess

 

[EBInterceptor]

They always try to stick you with something else. That's just BS.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

They always try to stick you with something else. That's just BS.

Omg yes, I went to get an alignment, just an alignment and they told me I needed a "special bushing" to be able to align it, and they would take care of this "special bushing" for a measly $110 - I really hate dobbs!

 

[Bandido]

so, do I really need new tie rods? I told them to keep the old ones, to see if it was really bend. I should post a pic then...

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

so, do I really need new tie rods? I told them to keep the old ones, to see if it was really bend. I should post a pic then...

How many miles are on your X?

 

[Bandido]

103,000mls

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

If it was me I would just replace them while your at it, I have a 184,000 on mine and they were shot, so just do it now so you don't have to do it later and if you have it done at sears I'm sure you get a warranty with it too, let me know what they quoted you on labor for all of it, I'm quite curious

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

its too bad that on the 1st gens that you do need a eccentric bushing to adjust the wheels, and of course its quoted for an hour of labor just for that

 

[Bandido]

on the phone they quoted me 400something, I think around $450, incl. Balljoints, tie rods, alignment and labor...

But I'll post, how much it was when I pick it up after work!

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

on the phone they quoted me 400something, I think around $450, incl. Balljoints, tie rods, alignment and labor...

But I'll post, how much it was when I pick it up after work!

Damn if you can get all that for that your getting a hell of a deal

 

[Bandido]

now you're making me nervous, maybe I understood something wrong (I still can't understand people on the phone sometimes:-( !!! Well, we'll see. I am going to pick it up in a hour...

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

now you're making me nervous, maybe I understood something wrong (I still can't understand people on the phone sometimes:-( !!! Well, we'll see. I am going to pick it up in a hour...

Yeah that sounds REALLY cheap, those co@k-smokers at dobbs quoted me $1100 for upper ball joints inner & outer tie rods & alignment for both sides, I did it myself and just for upper ball joints & inner and outer tie rods for both sides was $300 for parts, so if they only charge you 450 that would be great for you but like I said earlier please let me know, I'm really intereasted to see what they charge you and work they have done

 

[Bandido]

ok, it was kinda a big ordeal:

I was quoted on the phone yesterday: $447 When I came today he said $517!!! I was like, well, I was told $447 and I am not paying $517... A little bit back and forth being nice but explaining, that it is not right to quote lower and then bill higher.
He apologized and took me $60 off!!! So that was good... and here's what I got:
-2 lower balljoints = 107.98
-installation = 119.98
-alignment = 59.99
-inner tie rod = 38.69
-installation = 62.99
-outer tie rod = 76.49
-installation = 36.99
-complaint = -60.00

=452.90

but they changed only yhe drivers side tie rod. I had them show it to me and Dude, it was banged up!!

But I still have a klunking noise, when I go over bumps. It go a little better, but is still there!!!
And the steering wheel vibration I had pretty bad at 70+mph before, I have now at 55mph!!!

Any ideas, what could be wrong???

Could it be because one front tire has a different thread then the other three and is almost new and the others a kinda worn?? (I am getting new Liberators on Fri)