I went to the local truck shop today to get a quote on new ball joints. The guy said upper and lower ball joints and all the tie rod ends for $650 with installation, also he mentioned the pitman arm... Does the pitman arm really go bad or in need of a replacement? Any help would be appriciated. Thanks.

 

They do have a ball joint on them that can come loose. Ford did not believe in putting a grease zerk into those!

 

anyone else?

 

Got a quote today for just lower ball joints, 2003 4X4, $330.00. (Plus probably need alignment after that) Tracka

 

That's a somewhat fairish price because I just recently had my ball joints replaced along with an alignment and it cost a total of $450.00.

 

Well atleast i know it is at a fair price.

 

You can get all the parts for under $200 so your mechanic can get the parts way cheaper. Add another 50-75 for the alienment and he probally wont have much over $200 in it even if he subs out the alienment. It should take around 2 hours to do the job so $650 means you paying over $200 a hour for labor. You can get loaded upper control arms, lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman arm and idler arm for $168 shipped on ebay and do the work youself and save a lot of coin.

 

Surprised he didnt mention the idler arm. Those go out waaay faster than the pitman arm on our trucks. Having changed out these suspensions 4 times on my own trucks and several times on friends vehicles, the only advice I have is to use OEM Motorcraft lower balljoints. Moog just does NOT hold up, I dont care what their fanboys on this site say.

 

Yes thats what i forgot, the idler arm that was also included.

 

Too bad you are 500 miles away, I would charge you 50 bucks to change them, then all you have to do is get an alignment.