Ball Joint and Bushing replacement

[Exp_Steve]

I took my 2003 AWD Limited in for alignment. Tires were wearing on the inside - cords were showing. Replaced the tires and took it in for alignment. Tech said that my ball joints and bushings (front) needed replacement and that an alignment would not do me any good (till these were fixed).

They suggested replacing the whole (rocker arm?) assy to save money on parts. Two bushings plus labor to replace them cost more than replacing the whole assy.

Question is: I have 140k miles on the vehicle. It's still a great car. Is this normal to have to replace these at this point in the vehicles life? Or is the tech blowing smoke...

Cost for the repairs is estimated to be $1,300 including tax.

 

[swshawaii]

Lowers, uppers, or both? Driver and passenger sides?

http://www.worldpartsinfo.com/Ford/...ber,+2002/2005+From:+11/13/2000To:+07/19/2005

 

[EXPLORER04]

They are referring to the upper control arm that have the ball joints pressed into them. This is a very common part to go, especially at 140k. $1300 is a ridiculous price to pay, even for both sides. You can get the parts for around $60 per side from rock auto. The job can be done in about 2 hours if you feel comfortable doing the job yourself. refer to the thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135

 

[Exp_Steve]

The way it was explained/shown to me was that there were two bushings pressed into the upper control arm on either side that needed replacing. The ball joints on both sides also needed replacing.

He priced the control arms at $160 each and the ball joints at $90 each (not made in china). Parts were guaranteed for as long as I owned the car. Labor was $200 per side to install.

 

[swshawaii]

Better and cheaper replacing both UCA's rather than having a shop press in the bushings
and replacing the ball joints separately. Lower ball joints can be replaced separately if the
bushings are still good. Either way, alignment should be checked after. Price different shops. GL

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1414516,parttype,10401

 

[Exp_Steve]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1414516,parttype,10401

Excellent website for part pricing! Thanks!

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Exp Steve, I buy my own parts, have the local Ford dealership install the parts for me. They have no problems doing this.

See if they will do that.

 

[esclamada]

I took my 2003 AWD Limited in for alignment. Tires were wearing on the inside - cords were showing. Replaced the tires and took it in for alignment. Tech said that my ball joints and bushings (front) needed replacement and that an alignment would not do me any good (till these were fixed).

They suggested replacing the whole (rocker arm?) assy to save money on parts. Two bushings plus labor to replace them cost more than replacing the whole assy.

Question is: I have 140k miles on the vehicle. It's still a great car. Is this normal to have to replace these at this point in the vehicles life? Or is the tech blowing smoke...

Cost for the repairs is estimated to be $1,300 including tax.

That is way overpriced! Mevotech control arms at rockauto costs only $52.79 each with ball joints (attached) I replaced mine with Mevotech several years ago and it's still holding very well. This can even be done with minimal tools as DIY for less than 2 hrs (each side) Even if you buy the parts yourself and have a different shop do it will still be cheaper (they could do both in less than an hour)


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[rigbyrigz]

I just had the problem diagnosed on one side, my mercury mountaineer awd 2000... they want $760 for the job. incudes alignment. Sigh. I guess if you are not a DIY this is within the expected repair-shop ballpark, though perhaps on the high side. (the book shows 4.8 hours labor per side.... if you can do it in 2 or less then that's great)