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Front upper ball joint replacement

41K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  hmmmm16417 
#1 ·
Hey all, so i had my vehicle at Firestone not too long ago for a tire balance and rotation. While it was there, i asked them if they could see why the front end makes a squeaking noise when the wheel is turned and why it occurs when it is very warm outside.

They claim i need a new front left upper ball joint. If this is the case, they write me up a quote for the upper ball joint at 215.56 and labor at 168.00. After shop fees and tax, its 412.26. It seems pretty outrageous for this. Can anyone recommend a good quality ball joint I can purchase from like rock auto or amazon? I did a search on rock auto and there is no ball joint that even comes close to that price.

Help!:confused: Thanks for the advice in advance!

Mike
 
#6 ·
Upper ball joints are not, I repeat NOT an easy DIY, upper control arm assemblies on the other hand are a much easier DIY, just make sure to get an alignment afterwards,
 
#7 ·
OK, thanks for the insight all. I will order a upper ball joint online and have my corner shop put it in and get an alignment. It would seem to be much cheaper going that route anyhow.

Lastly there are some other joints that are much cheaper online on rockauto.com for example, should i just go with the Moog and call it a day?
 
#8 ·
just know they may not be able to press it out either... which will end up costing you a ball joint plus a more expensive locally sourced upper control arm. To replace the upper one it says to remove the boot on the joint so the special tools fit onto the joint better. Using the special tools in the ball joint press It also took hitting the back of the ball joint press with my long blow air hammer, and even then it was hitting the back of the adapter with my air hammer and a flat bit, then applying more pressure with my 1/2in gun repeatedly.

They should be able to but I know there has been at LEAST one person who was sold lower ball joints (easier to replace imo) and after the shop destroyed the joint trying to remove it they told him he needed a lower control arm.
 
#9 ·
The labor price isn't bad, but they're quoting you almost three times the price for the ball joint. Like others said they must've meant the whole assembly ask them if you want them to do the work. I've worked in shops, and my boss would get at least double the part price. This particular one would actually get mad if the customer knew better if they tell you a lie move on. I hope it's just a mix up
 
#11 ·
rock auto has the upper balljoint for $45 - you can borrow the tools from autozone or advanced auto (pay the deposit, when you return the tool the give you 100% refund). shouldn't be that hard to change it yourself. I did my lower balljoints for $60 out the door and about 2 hrs of my time. I also have an 06
 
#12 ·
I am speaking from experience, the top ones are not as easy as the bottom ones, a lot more work, and held in a lot tighter.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
 
#14 ·
Thanks again for the advice all. I like to do a lot of things myself but i don't have the tools or the patience to do something like this, so to a shop it will go. I will have to talk to them and see what they say about working on this. Id rather be safe than sorry to make sure that they can do something like this beforehand.
 
#15 · (Edited)
actually, the MOOG uper control arm with the balljoint already in it is only like $60 on rockauto.......
 

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#22 ·
it's typically the first place I look. I have also used ebay for a lot of parts, but usually still shop around. you would be suprised on how close advanced auto parts stores are priced. usually a bit higher, but sometimes the convenience and immediate availability is worth it.

glad i could help
 
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