$1,100 for new ball joints?!
12-23-2009, 03:46 PM
#11
S197 Section Modder-ator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
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I'm confused... Why would they replace an entire A-Arm. You can get BMR ones for $300 with ball joints. Or if just the ball joints are bad you can get Steeda Ball joints for $150 at americanmuscle.com
I $1100 is in your budget then I would just replace the entire K-Member. If you are married and need an upgrade excuse it seems the dealer just gave you one. Just sell it like, "Well the dealer wants $1100 for stock but I can get a better aftermarket set up for $700..."
I $1100 is in your budget then I would just replace the entire K-Member. If you are married and need an upgrade excuse it seems the dealer just gave you one. Just sell it like, "Well the dealer wants $1100 for stock but I can get a better aftermarket set up for $700..."
It's called "ball joints non serviceable".
I had the same thing on a 02 Explorer... customer wasn't happy.
OP, you're not getting rapped on parts but a front end alignment is $39 when a collision is involved with Insurance Cies. $49 for regular walk in.
That's FL prices though...
An independent shop will be much cheaper on labor as well.
12-23-2009, 03:55 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tampa
Posts: 4,204
HOSED.
If the unibody is straight, you would not require an alignment.
LCAs for the GT 500 are cheaper from MossMuscle.
$300 for lablor seems normal but why not do it yourself and save?
If the unibody is straight, you would not require an alignment.
LCAs for the GT 500 are cheaper from MossMuscle.
$300 for lablor seems normal but why not do it yourself and save?
Gotcha, then like I said I would go BMR if I was going to change the entire thing, or I would just upgrade the ball joints to Steeda as a minimum.
Last edited by Boozshey; 12-23-2009 at 04:06 PM.
12-23-2009, 04:06 PM
#13
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Location: Orlando FL
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12-23-2009, 04:10 PM
#14
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tampa
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O/P Both these sellers can be trusted....
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26159
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25780
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26159
http://s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25780
12-23-2009, 04:36 PM
#16
5th Gear Member
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Location: Tampa
Posts: 4,204
12-24-2009, 06:12 AM
#17
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
The little 'catch' being that unless it's far enough out to be visibly bad, you still need to measure it to see if any adjustment is either necessary or desirable. Parts tolerances mean that there is no guarantee that you'll end up with exactly the same alignment once you replace anything, especially when what you're replacing is the whole control arm including its ball joint and chassis-side bushings.
Fortunately, it is possible to DIY-measure static alignment closely enough to determine if further work is necessary.
Norm
Fortunately, it is possible to DIY-measure static alignment closely enough to determine if further work is necessary.
Norm
12-24-2009, 07:49 AM
#18
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Location: Orlando FL
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I got away on some occasions and didn't on some others.
My own experience is that I wasn't in need of an alignment about 65/70% of the time.
Of course, that means using OEM parts.
12-24-2009, 08:19 AM
#19
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location:
Posts: 522
I had to replace both ball joints in my GT before I sold it...
That price is pretty accurate.
I own a garage myself, and that is pretty much the same price i would charge my customers, and no, that is not a hose - parts arent cheap.
Yes, there are other parts on the market...but from personal experience, they dont ride the same, much harsher.
So no, its not a "Hose" its just expensive if your not able to do it yourself.
But, as a note, you should be getting a 4-Wheel alignment. Any shop that still only does 2-Wheel is WAY out-date. You need to get the rears in line with the fronts, and make sure the thrust angle is right. For 100 bucks, it should be 4-wheel (ask them).
That price is pretty accurate.
I own a garage myself, and that is pretty much the same price i would charge my customers, and no, that is not a hose - parts arent cheap.
Yes, there are other parts on the market...but from personal experience, they dont ride the same, much harsher.
So no, its not a "Hose" its just expensive if your not able to do it yourself.
But, as a note, you should be getting a 4-Wheel alignment. Any shop that still only does 2-Wheel is WAY out-date. You need to get the rears in line with the fronts, and make sure the thrust angle is right. For 100 bucks, it should be 4-wheel (ask them).
12-24-2009, 08:27 AM
#20
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
Hard to do a 4 wheel alignment on these cars, since the rear axle is off center by about a 1/4". 
Also, the book gives you 1.5 of an hour to replace the LCA, which is very generous...
So 3 hours to do both sides=$300 in labor?
Can be done for cheaper than $100 an hour.
I wish I could charge that much, I'd be retired by now...
Also, the book gives you 1.5 of an hour to replace the LCA, which is very generous...
So 3 hours to do both sides=$300 in labor?
Can be done for cheaper than $100 an hour.
I wish I could charge that much, I'd be retired by now...
Last edited by pascal; 12-24-2009 at 08:33 AM.