Balljoints at 45K?

[00XLS]

Took my truck in for inspection today, I get a call back and the guy tells me that it needs both lower balljoints. It only has 45K on it and the tires are wearing fine. I am getting the screws put to me because i'm a college kid in a college town? How could they be bad at 45K? Truck isn't driven that often and when it is, its mainly highway. He then went on to tell me about all of the stuff I "should have done" coolant, tranny fluid, belt yada yada.

 

[james t]

Believe it or not, its not uncommon. I would still get a second opinion if you think the guys trying to screw you..... or you could check yourself if you have a floorjack. 2nd gen. Explorer's have some of the worst factory balljoints made and they just dont last. My lowers were changed at 70k miles and they were WAAAY overdue. Ive heard of several on this site that were toast before 50k miles.

If you have them replaced, go with Moog brand.

 

[Brock94]

You should check them yourself or have the guy show you with the truck on a lift. It is possible for them to be bad if they were never greased/got water in them and rusted out. If they are the "lubed for death-- err-- life" type, its possible for them to lose the grease by running through water or if the rubber seals have a problem.

I'd be very suspicious though at only 45K.

 

[00sport4x4]

I was told I needed lower ball joints at 50,000 miles on mine when I took it for an alignment. I checked them they seemed fine and now have 60,000 on them. I think some shops think that if you have a well maintained or alot of add ons you'll pay anything to keep your beloved truck in tip top shape. Plus what is everyones method or checking the ball joints? I jack mine up and use a pipe under the tire for leverage

 

[00XLS]

Well I def. am for the simple fact the bill they wanted to charge me was about $765 total for everything including tax, one thing was a tag light, and upon inspection of my tag light low and behold it wasn't out !! they also tried to bill me for emissions which is required in the county i'm living in but NOT where the truck is registered, so I got emissions for free My uncle and I are going to look at them and see what whats with them. like I said the tires are fine and most of the time the truck is driven its a 117 mile highway trip one way. thansk for the imput.
EDIT: this was suppose to be a $9.99 inspection, so I think the addons are def. a possibility, my uncle said jack up the wheel and pull top and bottom on the tire to see if theres any movement. screw that place, soon as i asked for the corporate # they wanted to "fix" the problem. i.e. the emissions was THEN explained to me.