Lower ball joints...

Scooty Puff Jr. · Mar 20, 2012

I was told by all three places I called that on a 4wd model you need to drop the axles out to do it. They could have been lying but I can't see anyway of removing the Ball joint without dropping the axle and brakes for clearance.

NBhunter80 · Mar 20, 2012

I was told by all three places I called that on a 4wd model you need to drop the axles out to do it. They could have been lying but I can't see anyway of removing the Ball joint without dropping the axle and brakes for clearance.

The shops were correct. It is simply a matter of lack of clearance because the post of the ball joint won't come out of the spindle with the axle in the way. Removing the brakes is just so you can get at the axle to remove it.

bestatchess · Mar 20, 2012

might as well replace the hubs too, lol

NBhunter80 · Mar 20, 2012

Yeah...on an '04 it might be worth your while because you already have most of the work done. My hubs lasted about 20k after the ball joints were replaced before they were shot.

Scooty Puff Jr. · Mar 20, 2012

bestatchess said:
might as well replace the hubs too, lol

LOL that's some good news! Truck has 43,000 miles (no that's not a typo) if the hubs are shot I am trading it in on a Prius!

CVTitan05 · Mar 20, 2012

I had 52k when i bought my 05, so we're not that far away :teethmast

kalebearls · Mar 20, 2012

82 on my 2004 and front end is popping like no other. I'm assuming it's the ball joints? just pulled radiator this weekend to get it repaired. that was really fun. hope my truck lasts and not everything starts going to s*it

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

NBhunter80 · Mar 20, 2012

82 on my 2004 and front end is popping like no other. I'm assuming it's the ball joints?

Yeah, popping and binding especially when turning slowly ie into parking spots is a classic symptom of bad ball joints. Jack up your truck and give the wheel a shake, and if it moves at all up and down, then your ball joints are shot for sure.

Pro4X08 · Mar 20, 2012

I can see this job taking 10 hours if you are taking your sweet time and doing it on the ground with jack stands and hand tools. However I do not know how any shop could charge 8-10 hours of labor for this job. The "Motor" time guide states 3.1 hours for both sides (2.0 for one) plus an alignment. Most dealers are going to use a "bump" when quoting this but any person with the right knowledge and tools should not have any problems completing both in 2 hours. Nor should any shop be able to charge more than 4 hours and still be able to sleep at night. I wish I could get away with charging 10 hours on a job that takes 2. I did it on a lift with air tools and had to cut off a bolt on each side and still did it in under 2 hours. I also did not have cam bolts in my truck so I was unable to mark the locations when I took them out. That is why I had to have it aligned after I was done. I do not have access to an alignment rack with the correct heads to fit my wheels so I had to take it to someone else to do it.

Pro4X08 · Mar 20, 2012

sorry, the motor guide says 2.6 for one side and 3.1 for both.

NBhunter80 · Mar 20, 2012

If one side takes 2.6 hours, how does the second side only take 0.5 hours?

CVTitan05 · Mar 20, 2012

Maybe if your doing both its faster because your taking both sides off at the same time instead of one at a time?

kalebearls · Mar 21, 2012

so creaking at slow speed when turning is ball joints?

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Scooty Puff Jr. · Mar 21, 2012

kalebearls said:
so creaking at slow speed when turning is ball joints?

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

Yes. It also pops when you make hard turns at low speeds as well as when you're turning and hit a bump or pothole. Very annoying creaking too. If you're unsure have someone turn the wheel while you're under the front end. If you can't pinpoint the sound cut a piece of hose and place it over where you think the noise is coming from ( or use a stethoscope like me). To test the ball joints jack the front end up, place a 2x4 or piece of box metal under the tire and lift up. You shouldn't have any movement in the ball joint if you do, replace it.

Pro4X08 · Mar 21, 2012

NBhunter80 said:
If one side takes 2.6 hours, how does the second side only take 0.5 hours?

Overlapped time, truck on lift, tools out, sway bar disconnected etc. It really doesn't take that long once all of that is taken care of. I still can't bileve people are getting away with charging 10 hours for this. That is just crazy! Either they are way overcharging, or they are some independent shop that has no idea what they are doing.

coachditka · Mar 21, 2012

Just FYI, the Moog problem solver ball joints are top notch with a grease-able fitting. There are actually Moog lower control arms with the bushings and ball joint installed. Much easier!

Buy Moog Control Arm RK620511 at Advance Auto Parts

The Raybestos control arms from Rockauto are also far superior to the cheap Doorman. Just remember, there is a reason that the Doorman parts are so cheap!

xxxxxxxxxPAtitan56 · Mar 22, 2012

I like Moog joints. I replaced the upper ball joints and tie rod ends with the greasable units. stronger and tough. the old nissan joints on mine were really shot, soft metal. junk.

I did not do the lower joints yet. guess that is next since the others were gone.

I am going to get Mevotech unless anybody has issues. Dorman makes one, but not sure on the joint. Contact dorman is in order. I am going to look into them. I got a steel gas tank from them for my 92 sentra. good stuff, fit right.

Chris 04

DragginTat · Mar 23, 2012

Lots of great info... How long can I expect new ball joints to last on a CST lifted 2wd running 35's?

Scooty Puff Jr. · Mar 23, 2012

Just an FYI guys the Moog LCA's with ball joints are $98 a piece from Advanced Auto Parts, however if you order 'em before the 31st of March you get 15% off, plus free shipping, plus a $50 credit towards a future $100 purchase. Total price of $168+tax= $179.xx shipped to my door. If you need these or even if you don't that's even cheaper than the Dorman's! You do have to create an account which takes about 2 minutes anyway.

coachditka · Mar 23, 2012

Scooty Puff Jr. said:
Just an FYI guys the Moog LCA's with ball joints are $98 a piece from Advanced Auto Parts, however if you order 'em before the 31st of March you get 15% off, plus free shipping, plus a $50 credit towards a future $100 purchase. Total price of $168+tax= $179.xx shipped to my door. If you need these or even if you don't that's even cheaper than the Dorman's! You do have to create an account which takes about 2 minutes anyway.

That's exactly what I did. Also ordered a transmission mount for good measure. That $50.00 credit will come in handy for some brake pads later this year. Free shipping was great too!

These LCA's come with a lifetime warranty also with is much more gooder than the OEM expensive stuff that's going to break again.

Lower ball joints...

Scooty Puff Jr.

NBhunter80

bestatchess

NBhunter80

Scooty Puff Jr.

CVTitan05

kalebearls

NBhunter80

Pro4X08

Pro4X08

NBhunter80

CVTitan05

kalebearls

Scooty Puff Jr.

Pro4X08

coachditka

xxxxxxxxxPAtitan56

DragginTat

Scooty Puff Jr.

coachditka

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