flathead

My mechanic just quoted me $500.00 to replace 4 ball joints. I check he service manual and they mention a few specialty tools for tie rod removal and the ball joint removal and replacement. Has anyone done this without resorting to the special tools and how hard is the job for an average driveway mechanic? This truck is a 2wd 2500 series.

m.rehme

Sounds a little high to me.
I have replaced 3 ball joints in 317,000 and no tie rod ends yet to date.

00sport

a friend of mine has an 01 also and was qouted $950 to replace all four, parts included. That was way more than he had to spend so he bought the parts at NAPA for close to $400. We changed them driveway style in two evenings one side at a time. We used no special tools other than torx bit to remove brake calipers, a grinder to grind rivet heads off, and a drill- if you can call those special that is. We drilled hole in rivets very slighty smaller than rivet but left a small lip in the bottom to beat the rivets out. I must admit we got lazy and drilled small hole in center then used a torch to make it go alittle faster. As for seperating the ball joints flip the nut leave it flush with end of bolt use somethin to keep presure on joint seperating it then hit nut with heavy hammer.

Ha Ha good luck its alittle aggrevating at times

00sport

m.rehme

Just called Bumper to Bumper here, their best quality ones cost--
Upper $56 Ea
Lower $80 Ea
This is for a 1999 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive.

GAmes

My 97 has ball joints that have to be pressed out and in, and it takes a special tool, no other way. Yours may be different. I got mine from Snap-on, $135 with tax, but there are cheaper sources. Here's my pet peeve. Where are you and why don't you (and lots of others) put your city and state in your sig? If you are near to me I'd be happy to loan you the tool set and even might help.

00sport

Same here with the tools and helpin out

steveh1155

Replaced the upper ball joints on my 95 2WD and it was fairly easy (they were pressed on) - If you buy the parts at Auto Zone (uppers were 46 bucks ea. for the lifetime warr. parts) they'll loan you the press and the seperator tool for free with a deposit). I'm just a shadetree mechanic and it was one of the easier jobs I've done on this truck.