Ok so I was replacing my front brakes today in the cold wet snow(not by choice) and when doing the passenger side I noticed vertical play in the hub. So yeah ball joints...so I guess my question is more of asking for opinions...foot of snow, temp is in the mid 20's and no garage. Would you put them in yourself or take it in?
If taking it in how much do you think it would cost on average?

I have a pretty good idea on how to do them, and I know it can be a long process, and that if doing one side you should do both. Do you have to take everything off the hub like the tie rod and everything else....?

 

Uppers? Lowers? Both?

It's not a small process to replace them. It'll require a specialty tool (pickle fork), and air tools will make it a lot quicker/easier. You'll want to disconnect your swaybar from your control arms first. Grab a buddy, a 12 pack and a few hours and anyone who knows what a wrench does can do it themselves. Just be sure to grease every zerk fitting you come across. DIY's are all over the internet to help you out. An alignment wouldn't be a bad idea after the job is done either.

Good luck!

 

i just got my upper done for around $200, but if you do choose to do it yourself make sure you mark the position of the alignment cam , so you might not have to get an alignment

 

Was that for both sides or just one?

 

Don't know it was getting dark,and it was cold so I didn't want to be kneeing on ice for long then I had too....would have had more time but the manager at Advanced Auto Parts was a Fing jerk and made me leave with only on side done.....last time I shop there.

 

just one ,they told me that the others were fine , and they told me that it is not unusual that it only needs one side and only the upper done

 

$200 bucks for one ball joint?!? wow the ball joint itself only ranges from $20-$40 depending on the brand.

 

masons tire told me i needed all balljoints and idler arm 1050 plus tax did it all for about 300 in parts and the tools will cost about 200 (pickle fork and balljoint press) i rented it from advance auto they give you all the money back i didnt think it was that bad of a job but i also got a garage with a fare amount of tools only thing i really needed to buy was a 26mm socket for the hub

 

1050? ouch..suppose that is because of the idler arm though huh?

 

well masons mark up was 30 bucks for the lowers and like 400 to put them on and the idler arm ended up being like 200 to put it in and cost and the rest were the uppers i got the idler arm for 66 dollars from napa and did myself was not that hard just a little bit tight to work but i saved myself about 700 to 800 dollars it was worth one saturday and night