Buffalosports
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 9, 2008
- Messages
- 504
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Buffalo, New York
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 Sport - 4WD
Yes, I got the fun, fun job of replacing ball joints today (sorry no pics). I took my 98 Explorer Sport to Monroe for an allignment a few weeks ago. They called back saying that the bottom driver's side ball joint needed to be replaced. They priced it at $365 for parts and $100 for labor (I thought they had there numbers mixed up 
). I later found that it wasn't the bottom but the top that needed to be replaced. With that said, unfortunitly the whole control arm needs to be replaced in order to replace the top ball joint ( 
). I bought this assembly for $60 at Advance Auto Parts. Then I learned that the bottom ball joint was only $13. So I replaced that as well.
I also knew that the shocks where on their way out (154,000+ miles on them, YEA they where soft but not completely shot). I decided to just do it while I had the suspension turn apart. I bought Monroe shocks for $20 ea. at Advanded. Backs will be next.
The previous owner replaced the passanger's side ball joints but not the driver's side. Doesn't make much sense but I guess they most have been looking to save the money.
). I later found that it wasn't the bottom but the top that needed to be replaced. With that said, unfortunitly the whole control arm needs to be replaced in order to replace the top ball joint ( ). I bought this assembly for $60 at Advance Auto Parts. Then I learned that the bottom ball joint was only $13. So I replaced that as well. I also knew that the shocks where on their way out (154,000+ miles on them, YEA they where soft but not completely shot). I decided to just do it while I had the suspension turn apart. I bought Monroe shocks for $20 ea. at Advanded. Backs will be next.
The previous owner replaced the passanger's side ball joints but not the driver's side. Doesn't make much sense but I guess they most have been looking to save the money.
