Took it in for tranny flush and got unsolicited estimate for $1717.

[EasyRhino]

For the front end that is.

The tranny work was 220 w/ tax, including filter, pan gasket and 16 quarts of Mercon V.

I knew that the front end was getting loose. The stealership says that I need new front end upper control arms (integral ball joints) and lower ball joints, plus labot to install and an alignment. Since $1717 seems way too much, I'm going to tackle this one myself.

I had previously noted that the ball joint boots were ripped so this repair was on the radar, guess I'd better get busy on it.

Where would you shop for these parts? No cheap junk allowed! I only want to do this job once. Ideas for good parts sources would be appreciated.

Will probably replace the front struts at the same time, and incorporate a more permanent fix to the front sway bar bushing squeak, plus install new front brake rotors, since they are acting warped.

 

[techieman33]

rockauto.com is a good source, moog parts are pretty good. There is also a 5% discount code in the vender section.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check WWW.RockAuto.Com. We have a coupon code in the vendor's section for them.

 

[EasyRhino]

thanks, guys.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I see that both of us had the same idea as we were typing at the same time.

 

[410Fortune]

I spent $700 for front end parts and did all the work myself, very happy with the results

$1717 is alot just for ball joints and alignment considering as soon as they get in there you will also need hubs/bearings ($400+ just for parts at dealer), pads, rotors, calipers, CV axles, inner and outer tie rods, etc

So I saved parts for 3 months, spent a bit over $700 and did all the work at once
Ball joints, hubs, rotors, inner and outer tie rods, CV's, pads, and alignment.


that would be about $3500 at a dealership my guess

 

[thepotroast]

I've got the How To on doing the upper ball joints yourself on the 3rd gen's without replacing the control arms, in my sig. Total cost.... $80 for both sides.

 

[EasyRhino]

I've got the How To on doing the upper ball joints yourself on the 3rd gen's without replacing the control arms, in my sig. Total cost.... $80 for both sides.

If not for your excellent post (have studied it many times) I would not feel comfortable doing this myself. Hunting/Pricing parts now.

 

[EasyRhino]

I spent $700 for front end parts and did all the work myself, very happy with the results

$1717 is alot just for ball joints and alignment considering as soon as they get in there you will also need hubs/bearings ($400+ just for parts at dealer), pads, rotors, calipers, CV axles, inner and outer tie rods, etc

So I saved parts for 3 months, spent a bit over $700 and did all the work at once
Ball joints, hubs, rotors, inner and outer tie rods, CV's, pads, and alignment.


that would be about $3500 at a dealership my guess

I am putting together my parts list as we type.

Mandatory: upper and lower ball joints, brake rotors (turned last time, no material left, slight run out), alignment (not me).

Probable: brake pads, struts, sway bar bushing.

Unlikely: Wheel bearings (did both not long ago).

Undecided: tie rod ends, CV joints/axle half-shafts.

Inputs appreciated.

 

[techieman33]

If your replacing rotors then you need to replace the pads too.

 

[jakedrew]

i dont know how much tie rod ends are for a exploroe, but if the vehicle has high miles ( not sure what you got). I would do the tie rod ends. Just a peice of mind to know they are new ( and not sure if they have a greasable option).

Since they are doing a allignment anyways and tie rod ends are not that expensive if it was me i would do them..

Hate to have all that work done and you have a bad tie rod and have to get a allignment again over a 20$ part.

 

[EasyRhino]

i dont know how much tie rod ends are for a exploroe, but if the vehicle has high miles ( not sure what you got). I would do the tie rod ends. Just a peice of mind to know they are new ( and not sure if they have a greasable option).

Since they are doing a allignment anyways and tie rod ends are not that expensive if it was me i would do them..

Hate to have all that work done and you have a bad tie rod and have to get a allignment again over a 20$ part.

good call, at 103K miles, it's cheap insurance.

 

[EasyRhino]

If your replacing rotors then you need to replace the pads too.

although I've heard varying thoughts on this, I will probably do so and not cheap out, they don't cost much.