Ball Joint Expert?

[fordtaurus99se]

Ford Taurus 1999 SE Wagon
- What is the fair price to replace 2 front ball joints? How long usually does it take?
- What store usually have the best price for replacing tires?
Thanks!

[rdh2]

Ford Taurus 1999 SE Wagon
- What is the fair price to replace 2 front ball joints? How long usually does it take?
- What store usually have the best price for replacing tires?
Thanks!
[/b]

To replace the ball joints, the steering knuckle has to be removed. Book time to replace both steering knuckles is 2.6 hours. Assuming $70/hr for labor that's $182. Add the labor for ball joints at .5 each for another $70. The cost of the ball joints depends on where you go; anywhere from $25-$75 each. Shop around because labor rates can vary greatly and so can shop reputation.

It's always best to shop around for tires; some offer a free alignment with the purchase of 4 tires. Some may have specials/rebates. I always shop around and check the chain stores and local tire shops.

[fordtaurus99se]

How much does it usually cost to replace the 2 front outer tie-rods (parts+labor)?

Thanks!

[gohim]

Replace the tierod ends yourself in a few minutes.

All you have to do is buy the replacements, then unscrew the old ones, one at a time, counting the number of turns it takes to remove. Then just screw the replacements on the same number of turns.

[tygersclaw]

Replace the tierod ends yourself in a few minutes.

All you have to do is buy the replacements, then unscrew the old ones, one at a time, counting the number of turns it takes to remove. Then just screw the replacements on the same number of turns.
[/b]

Really?? That is all there is to it??

Gads...and some shops charge $500 for that.

[Monsoon]

Ball Joints are a PITA it seems on any car. If you're a $hit fister you can save major bucks if you're willing to most of the work yourself. It takes a special tool to "pop" the old ball joint out and "pop" the new ball joint in. In a nutshell these new joints are pressed-in. I had to take my knuckles in to the local NAPA store and have this process done.

Does anyone know if these ball joint may have grease fittings? The ABS ring is not far away form the ball joint. I don't where one would put a grease fitting? The factory ball joints are sealed.

I have been removing the ball joint boot to pack the boot with grease and slip the boot back on. I don't know if this the best way to grease the ball joint but its better than nothing.

[shoz123]

When replacing tie rod ends be sure they are the same length. If the new ones are a different length than the number of turns thing doesn't work.

[achang1]

you gonna need a ball joint/tierod seperator tool
or a picklefork, but those suck.

[shoz123]

I've found the small pitman arm puller works great on the tire rod end, just leave the castle nut on. And the large one will pop the ball joint loose from the control arm very easily also.

AutoZone rents them or you can buy them for the cheap.