need new ball joints?

[frogman]

Greetings all-
I put on a set of BFG ATs in Nov of last year and just noticed some pretty good cupping on the inside of the front tires. I always get an alignment with new tires and so was thinking that couldn't be the problem. I had the tires rotated again and set off to the alignment rack to give it a check. Expecting to have a $49 or some odd bill I was told that both lower ball joints are bad and a bill of $500 is the reality. I am still in a bit of shock...is this in the "ballpark" for lower ball joints????

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Ball joints(factory ones) don't last very long on the Ex. They are total crap. When you replace them, buy a not factory greasable ball joint, and they should last longer. Ball joints are a big job, but 500 is a little steep. You could do better at another shop, I think.

 

[Bronco638]

I've read, in this Forum, that Moog makes good, grease-able ball joints.

 

[5.0 explorer]

lower ball joint are not that hard. I busted out a set of lowers today in the matter of a hour !!
If you have some mechanical ability you can do them yourself. its all nut and bolt !!

the book states 4 hour for lowers... takes the average person 1.5 hours !!

 

[n3m3s1s]

im afraid that i am in the same predicament as froggy...

unwillin to shell out $5-600 for labor alone, i would like to try to accomplish this myself.

my question would be, what do i need to look out for?

how can i tell which ones i should replace?

 

[explorer4x493]

Uh, maybe for labor 5-600, but the actuall lower ball joints run i believe around 40-50 bucks a piece. And i also have read that they are VERY easy to do yourself.

 

[n3m3s1s]

i dont trust the midas touch

 

[riverposie]

i must disagree on lasting..

Ball joints(factory ones) don't last very long on the Ex. They are total crap. When you replace them, buy a not factory greasable ball joint, and they should last longer. Ball joints are a big job, but 500 is a little steep. You could do better at another shop, I think.

I have a 93 and the factory ball joints and everything in the front end made it to 170,000..i still have factory exhaust system, in fact , other than brakes ,& a fuel pump i just put on, everything is still factory ...it is a miracle vehicle...