So I was quoted $700 to have all the ball joints and tie rod ends replaced and that was just labor I already have all the parts. Does that seem right? Or too high?
Does $700 seem too high for ball joint and tie rod ends replacement?
- Thread starter Patriotblue9779
- Start date
From a shop that seems a little low, I got a quote for $800 for the BJs at a local shop when I was trying to diagnose my DW. Though I guess you already have the parts, and I am flat out surprised that they would use yours!
However, it's really not that tough to do them yourself and you could get the parts and tools for way less if you're moderately handy. Wheels, calipers, rotors, hubs, yank the shafts and you're there and just need the specific press adapters.
However, it's really not that tough to do them yourself and you could get the parts and tools for way less if you're moderately handy. Wheels, calipers, rotors, hubs, yank the shafts and you're there and just need the specific press adapters.
i'm ending up doing it myself.. just need to get a few more tools and will tackle it in 2 weekends. this weekend is already reserved for the currectlync and front trackbar
Just to document for any that may not know, you can typically rent a C-clamp from one of the various auto parts stores for free (they put a pending charge on a credit card and refund it if it's back on a deadline).
that's the route i'm going.. just going to pick up the adapter kit off amazon to make it a bit easier.
need a jack and jackstand and i should be set.
Ball joints are kindof a pain, particularly with the parts store press. It's a total crapshoot of whether or not the right adapters are in the set to make it easy. And get a long breaker bar, it's gonna take some force. And before you leave the parts store with the press, verify you have the right size socket to even turn the press. It was like a 24mm iirc...and sometimes there isn't enough clearance in the wheel well for the deep socket. One of the castle nuts takes a big socket...21mm or 22mm? Make sure you have the right tools before you get halfway in.
Hopefully you've watched a bunch of videos on how to do it, but know that you absolutely do not need to remove the 36mm axle nut to do this job, despite some youtubers showing it being done that way.
The tie rod ends is a pretty simple job, although if you're going to do all that, I would strongly recommend doing the ZJ upgrade.
I'm not a super skilled mechanic by any stretch, but these two jobs are not on the list of things I would pay someone to do. You got this.
Hopefully you've watched a bunch of videos on how to do it, but know that you absolutely do not need to remove the 36mm axle nut to do this job, despite some youtubers showing it being done that way.
The tie rod ends is a pretty simple job, although if you're going to do all that, I would strongly recommend doing the ZJ upgrade.
I'm not a super skilled mechanic by any stretch, but these two jobs are not on the list of things I would pay someone to do. You got this.
Some VERY cheap advice, when pressing your ball joints in, take your time, ensuring that your aligned and going in straight!
Nothing harder than getting halfway in, getting the ball joint jammed half in, half out and not being able to go either direction with it!
Slow and steady wins the race! Also a touch of dawn dish soap helps and won’t hurt anything.
Nothing harder than getting halfway in, getting the ball joint jammed half in, half out and not being able to go either direction with it!
Slow and steady wins the race! Also a touch of dawn dish soap helps and won’t hurt anything.
I paid a mechanic to do my ball joints, axle u-joints and wheel bearings on my XJ because it was too damn cold outside. I also live over a business and can't work on my vehicles once they open at 10am. They were pissed when I installed my lift in the parking lot without letting them know first. 
He charged me $350. He knows I usually do my own work, so I tell him how long it would take me to do a job and we decide on a fair price for both of us. He's so reasonable (usually), that it's making me lazy.
p.s. He did want $125 to do my radiator so I did it myself.
He charged me $350. He knows I usually do my own work, so I tell him how long it would take me to do a job and we decide on a fair price for both of us. He's so reasonable (usually), that it's making me lazy.p.s. He did want $125 to do my radiator so I did it myself.
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Use Spicer ball joints and I always replace the axles seals if they are old or original at the same time. Every single week I help people with ZJ steering conversion and ball joints and axle seals. Sometimes the axle and drive shaft u-joints as well. All easy work. Go to the how to section here and look up how to perform your steering wheel and toe-in adjustment when you are through. All easy and it is as accurate as you are fussy. The entire job is more grunt work and mess than it is difficult. For 700 bucks you can buy a good portion of the tools and parts required.
Gunnersmate
TJ Enthusiast
I was quoted 1700 Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends and Alignment, buy the tools and do it yourself
Never heard a strong recommendation for Spicer ball joints (definitely Spicer for U-joints). I've used teraflex ball joints, in my JK & TJ, but admittedly have probably overpaid. I just think of all the places I need to spend money on my TJ, and I think how much of that stuff I couldn't afford if I paid somebody $1700 to do the job. To each his own, for sure. But I also can't see owning a TJ and not expecting to do a ton of work yourself.
If you are in North alabama you need to find Coles auto repair. $700 is like 8 shop hours. Way too high. You can get a complete front end rebuilt fo about that as far as the steering linkage and ball joints..
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Too high....unless their labor rate is $125 per hour
We charge around $450ish for that job in labor. Maybe less.
The steering especially of doing all components is extremely simple. Pickle fork and air gun and the old shit is out in 3 minutes. Hell you can reassemble using all new parts off the jeep and get real close comparing your old one. Then just fine tune your steering wheel.
Alignment is a toe in job only. Simple. With helper and fresh steering components about 20 mins.
Book rate on the above is about 5 - 5.5 hours for all.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Air is your friend.
X2 on the zj upgrade...
Oddly the zj drag link differs from the TJ and interferes with the stabilizer.
The xj drag link can be used.
Even more bizarre...both drag link are cheaper than the TJ version.
One more...
Don't buy junk.
Driveworks...duralast...crown automotive...napa proformer..
All same stuff and all junk.
Moog...napa chassis...same premium part. They're very much worth it!!!!
We install this crap all the time. I don't care what you buy...im just telkimg you the reality of the parts.
Good luck
I strongly recommend the Spicer BJs and never had an issue or early failure with them. Never heard anything bad about them as well, but I don't get out much.
Whatever Ball Joint you go with, preferably Spicer, make sure the lower one doesn't have a grease fitting. I've seen some like that and they're worthless. The only way you can put grease in the fitting is to remove the axle shafts.
so he charged you $350 because you didn't let him know you did it in the parking lot ? what is this a fine ?I paid a mechanic to do my ball joints, axle u-joints and wheel bearings on my XJ because it was too damn cold outside. I also live over a business and can't work on my vehicles once they open at 10am. They were pissed when I installed my lift in the parking lot without letting them know first.
p.s. He did want $125 to do my radiator so I did it myself.
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