98 accord 4cyl sedan.

What is reasonable cost for replacing the lower ball joints for my car:

Dealer price vs independent shop (book hours would be nice)

Do I need alignment afterwards ?

What parts am I looking to change ?

Please refer to the following URL when identifiy the parts.

http://www.hondapartssource.co...ch=no

A mechanic has inspected the car and says that I need to replace the lower ball joints, otherwise the car tire would come of during driving and major damage would occur.




Modified by eauto at 7:06 PM 1/23/2005

 

On prices we won't be able to tell you exact prices but normally independent shops are a bit cheaper. The thing with balljoints is that if they fail then the suspension fails and your car will slam to the ground. If someone told you they need to be replaced and you trust them then you should replace them as soon as you can. If you take it to a good shop then they should be able to do everything for you.

 

THe part you will be looking to change, is the balljoint that sits directly below the CV shaft or what the Lower control arm connects to. Hard to say how much it will cost, maybe 1-2hrs labour ? + balljoint.

If you have the know how you could probably do it yourself, but it is a hassle.

 

They have to be pressed don't they

 

Thank all. Can someone please go to the diagram and please let me know what aprt to buy. I am getting prices of $578.00 is that fair or am i getting ripped of.

 

Well when I had my front lower balljoints replaced it ran me around $300. That was through an independent shop and on my 94 Accord.

 

i know on 5th gens the lower ones arent pressed. i replaced mine when i did my manual conversion. i got a ball joint remover from the local auto parts store.

 

Still waiting answer on what parts make up lower ball joints.

 

578 is insane

I'm doing mine next weekend and expect it to come out to, with parts and my own labor, to around 70 bux.

Just take off the brake/hub assembly and bring it up to a machine shop for them to press the old ones out and press the new ones in....costs all of 20 bux

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Toldge &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">578 is insane

I'm doing mine next weekend and expect it to come out to, with parts and my own labor, to around 70 bux.

Just take off the brake/hub assembly and bring it up to a machine shop for them to press the old ones out and press the new ones in....costs all of 20 bux</TD></TR></TABLE>


that is not dealer parts at that price ... do you realize how important your ball joints are? i would only recomend getting dealer parts


you should expect to pay about 1.4 hours labor each side ... so if your having a dealer do it that price is about right ... but you can take it to a independant shop and pay 300-400 just be specific that you want dealer parts ...

the parts replaced are only the ball joint there are no other parts involved ...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stripped Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


that is not dealer parts at that price ... do you realize how important your ball joints are? i would only recomend getting dealer parts


you should expect to pay about 1.4 hours labor each side ... so if your having a dealer do it that price is about right ... but you can take it to a independant shop and pay 300-400 just be specific that you want dealer parts ...

the parts replaced are only the ball joint there are no other parts involved ... </TD></TR></TABLE>

So aking your data, here is what I come with:

1.4 X 2 = 2.8 X$90.00 labor rate = $252.00 + lower ball Joint part price $60.00 (guess) = $312.00 and this is dealer prices.

Can someone tell me why $578 ??? or differecne of $266.00

 

Can someone help me identify the lower ball ball joints parts from the url diagram.

Would i also need to do alignment afterwards.

 

the lower ball joint is number 24
you should also replace numbers 7 and 3 while some one is in there since they keep dirt away from the ball joint

7 and 3 cost like a total of 5 $ from the dealer cant remember about the ball joint though

 

Thanks. #24 includes #7 and #3.

finally, do I need four wheel alignment afterwards ?

Thanks.

 

youd be fine with out it but if you havnt in a while then it wouldnt hurt

 

I think #24 includes 7 & 3. The reason # 7 & 3 are shown is because you can get the rubber boot & clip separately if you tear the boot but the joint is OK.

I'd get an alignment after replacing the joints. How long since you last got an alignment anyway?

 

Thanks Jim. The last alignment was about 50K mles ago.

 

don't get the alignment. unless they are a bunch of monkeys, they won't mess up the alignment. besides, if you drive the car for a week, and decide it does need the alignment after all, you can go back and get it.

if both of them need it, you're looking at about $50 worth of parts and about 3 - 4 hours of labor, not sure what the book says this job is though . $5xx is a complete rape job. go somewhere else.

and I did one of mine for $80 using OEM honda parts, so I don't know what the guy talking about not using dealer parts is talking about.

 

What, my prices not good enough??? LOL