Hey all,

So I've never done a Ball Joint replacement before but my left side upper is going bad on my 2003 2WD

my local garage quoted me $200.

if I can get my hands on a press how hard of a job is it to replace?

and do I need to do both upper and lower or can I just do the upper?

Thanks

 

So I was watching a Youtube video...
if I replace the whole arm with the joint I won't need the press?
But the guy said that it'll be out of alignment once the job is done...
will have to take it in to get that done if there's no way to adjust it but the way the roads are around here I probably won't notice anyway

 

replacing any worn front suspension component will warrant the need of an alignment. Replacing the entire UCA w/BJ installed is the easiest installation.

 

The ball joint on your truck isnt removable. You must replace the entire UCA which is easy easy. It will need an alingment after so if your going to change it make sure everything else is in good shape so 3 month down the road your not replacing a tie rod, idler arm, etc and have to get another one.

Wayne

 

Easy to replace the ball joints.
You don't have to do the upper and the lower at the same time however you should do the left and right at the same time.
Your local Oreilly's or Autozone should have a ball joint separator and press that you can rent for about 130, however you get your money back when you bring the tool back

 

I'm assuming the shop quote doesn't include the alignment job, correct?
That will be another $90 I'm sure.

Anything you do requires an alignment though.

Bgris, I didn't know this about the rental at Autozone or O'reilly's. Good to know.

 

The shop I actually went to quoted the alignment in the price, however it still came out cheaper to just do it myself and take it back to them for the alignment.

 

and by cheaper I'm talking to the tune of 800 something dollars.

 

Wow that's retarded. When I did my upper and lowers, I was quoted 375 just in labor. That didn't include parts or alignment. But with UCAs (both sides) and lower ball joints, the parts only cost around 200 bucks. Did the labor myself, and saved 400 bucks. The alignment was 59.99 .

 

So did you replace the control arms instead of just doing the ball joints?
What all did you replace?

Glad it worked out for you.