Ball Joints

[zydeco42]

I just came back from the dealership and they mentioned my 1999 Mazda B2500/Ranger has cracked ball joints. I have replaced ball joints in other cars before and I seem to remember them making a cracking or popping sound. Is there anyway to tell if they need replaced by myself? They said it was going to be about $850 which seems a little steep.

Thanks for the feedback!

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For what its worth the dealership said it was the lower front ball joints

[Greenroomsurfer]

It's not terribly difficult to pull out your ball joints. You can look at them and see if the dust boot is torn up that's usually a sign. The lower ball joints just need to be pressed out then the new ones pressed in. Took me about 45 to do mine and ball joints are pretty cheap to buy themselves.

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[modelageek]

Originally Posted by zydeco42

I just came back from the dealership and they mentioned my 1999 Mazda B2500/Ranger has cracked ball joints. I have replaced ball joints in other cars before and I seem to remember them making a cracking or popping sound. Is there anyway to tell if they need replaced by myself? They said it was going to be about $850 which seems a little steep.

Thanks for the feedback!

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For what its worth the dealership said it was the lower front ball joints

You need to be specific. What exactly are they replacing for $850?

[zydeco42]

Well the dealership said the lower ball joints were beginning to crack and needed replaced. That's all I know has I did not get under the truck to see. The truck is a 99 and since I bought it used I am not sure if anything has ever been replaced in the area. Hopes this helps???

Thanks!

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Do you know of any how to guides to do this? I have never done any major repairs like this, what would you rate the degree of difficulty for a beginner?

[Greenroomsurfer]

On a scale of 1-10 I would say a 3 its not to difficult the hardest part is pressing in the ball joints sometimes they take some muscle to put in. There is a how to on here somewhere. You can search for it.

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[SpeedNinja]

$850 is steep. Buy some decent greasable ones and you can rent the tools at AutoZone to pull/press them yourself.

[96_4x4_XLT]

Originally Posted by SpeedNinja

$850 is steep. Buy some decent greasable ones and you can rent the tools at AutoZone to pull/press them yourself.

hate doing ball joints

[modelageek]

Originally Posted by zydeco42

Well the dealership said the lower ball joints were beginning to crack and needed replaced. That's all I know has I did not get under the truck to see. The truck is a 99 and since I bought it used I am not sure if anything has ever been replaced in the area. Hopes this helps???

Thanks!

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Do you know of any how to guides to do this? I have never done any major repairs like this, what would you rate the degree of difficulty for a beginner?

Start by getting the detailed quote from the dealer.

[Muscleford]

You can rent the press from Autozone. It is easier to do if you access to an air compressor. It makes applying the torque to press them out and the new ones in a piece of cake. I did it on an 84 Mustang and it took about two hours with an air compressor.

[RoberticusMaximus]

bad ball joint video lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqw85L_sMgE

[pooleo]

I have a how to in my sig. Same basic steps applies to what you need to do. If you have the tools and the know how, they are not bad to replace.

[modelageek]

IMHO, the OP is not capable of doing the job correctly and in a safe manner.

[WyldeChild]

Originally Posted by modelageek

IMHO, the OP is not capable of doing the job correctly and in a safe manner.

Why is that? Because he came on the forum and asked if there is a writeup on how to do it? Just because he's never done ball joints on a Ranger/truck before, doesn't mean he is incapable of doing so.

A lot of people are inexperienced before experiencing something LOL. Actually doing the project makes them experienced. Not everyone started as a professional. If you have some mechanical ability you can figure most anything out. Might just take more time.

[modelageek]

Originally Posted by WyldeChild

Why is that? Because he came on the forum and asked if there is a writeup on how to do it? Just because he's never done ball joints on a Ranger/truck before, doesn't mean he is incapable of doing so.

A lot of people are inexperienced before experiencing something LOL. Actually doing the project makes them experienced. Not everyone started as a professional. If you have some mechanical ability you can figure most anything out. Might just take more time.

I have years of experience working on cars and helping on the forums. I read all the posts. I concluded it is too much as a first repair for the OP. It is my opinion. Feel free to quiz me if you like.

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Originally Posted by WyldeChild

Why is that? Because he came on the forum and asked if there is a writeup on how to do it? Just because he's never done ball joints on a Ranger/truck before, doesn't mean he is incapable of doing so.

A lot of people are inexperienced before experiencing something LOL. Actually doing the project makes them experienced. Not everyone started as a professional. If you have some mechanical ability you can figure most anything out. Might just take more time.

Think about it. He got a quote of $850 for lower ball joints? Really?

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Originally Posted by zydeco42

I just came back from the dealership and they mentioned my 1999 Mazda B2500/Ranger has cracked ball joints. I have replaced ball joints in other cars before

Originally Posted by zydeco42

Well the dealership said the lower ball joints were beginning to crack and needed replaced. That's all I know has I did not get under the truck to see. I have never done any major repairs like this, what would you rate the degree of difficulty for a beginner?

Has he replaced ball joints before or not? Has he done major repairs like balljoints or not?.............I actually do read all the posts and use experience to form an opinion.

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Originally Posted by WyldeChild

Why is that? Because he came on the forum and asked if there is a writeup on how to do it? Just because he's never done ball joints on a Ranger/truck before, doesn't mean he is incapable of doing so.

A lot of people are inexperienced before experiencing something LOL. Actually doing the project makes them experienced. Not everyone started as a professional. If you have some mechanical ability you can figure most anything out. Might just take more time.

Bueller, bueller, bueller?

[WyldeChild]

Originally Posted by modelageek

I have years of experience working on cars and helping on the forums. I read all the posts. I concluded it is to much as a first repair for the OP. It is my opinion. Feel free to quiz me if you like.

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Think about it. He got a quote of $850 for lower ball joints? Really?

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Has he replaced ball joints before or not? Has he done major repairs like balljoints or not?.............I actually do read all the posts and use experience to form an opinion.

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Bueller, bueller, bueller?

I've read the thread. And just because you have "years" of experience working on cars and helping people on the forum, doesn't mean you're capable of evaluating someone on their mechanical ability.


Your entitled to your opinion, just as anyone else on this forum is. And in my opinion, you've jumped to a conclusion about this guy and him being incapable of doing a not too difficult of a job. Who cares if he got a quote for $850 to do lower ball joints? They gave him that quote and he is smart enough to question it. Hence why he came onto the forum to find info on how to do it himself.

When I joined my first forum back in 2003, I was 17 and also inexperienced. Well...guess what? I've learned and am now much more knowledgeable and experienced. I read the forums and asked questions...just like this guy is doing.

Props to him for wanting to do it himself. 95% of the population would overpay to have someone else do it.

Get off your high horse Mr. "years of experience" and help the guy out why don't you? Pass on the info so when you decide you don't want to be on the forum anymore, someone else can help out a NOOB too.