Someone help! A few days ago I was driving and the boom, the wheel kinda popped off of my van. Luckily I was only going about 20mph and didn't hit anything, even a curb. A guy who happened to be working across the street at an oil change place said the lower ball joint/axel (maybe)/rod (maybe)/and control arm all were broke or bent. I had the van towed home and need to take it somewhere to get it fixed but want to get an idea of the cost. I replaced the upper ball joint on the same side and control arm in March of 08 and my van has constantly creaked (REALLY LOUD). Took it to a service station for an inspection and they said it was the struts, this was only about 3 wks ago. Then this. The tow guy and the oil change guy said it would probably be about 1000 to fix. Anyone have an idea of what MOST LIKELY broke or bent? Just an educated guess? As I said, I didn't hit anything and didn't have any leaks or anything after. A few minutes before it happened though when I slowed the wheel shimmied. I hadn't driven in awhile due to a broken ankle so I knew something was up right away but thought brakes...obviously not the case. Please help. Single mom, finishing grad school with 2 small boys and I don't wanna sound as ignorant as I am when I take it to get it fixed! thanks so so much!

 

If you can get the parts at a junkyard it shouldn't cost more than $150, labor shouldn't be more than $200 imo. I wouldn't trust the place you got serviced at in march. They probably screwed something up. Good luck.

 

lower ball joint is only 75 at napa and you can doit your self, joint is not pressed in its held in place by ring clip