Ball joints... DIY or not?

[mvbighead]

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7l V8 with AWD for more specifics if needed) with at least one bad ball joint. Is this something I should try to tackle myself? Mind you, I am not extremely car savy, but I have been trying lately and would like to see what the gearheads of ATOT say. I understand I could rent some of the tools necessary for the job, and I assume most Autozone's or similar car parts store would have the stuff needed.

Also, if I replace one on one side of the car, should I just go ahead and do the other?

What should I expect to pay to have it repaired by a mechanic if you suggest I go that route. It seems to be suggested at anywhere from $300 to $600 per ball joint (as per google), but that's quite a bit of variance if you ask me.

I have no problems either paying someone to do it or trying it myself if the general consensus is that I could get it done.

All non-troll feedback is appreciated.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It can be a fairly complicated thing... Some balljoints require being pressed out, some can be hammered or heated out. Most balljoints require being pressed in.

I used to do it myself, but I'd have a shop press them out and in.. I just remove whatever suspension components and bring them to a machine shop along with the new balljoints.


FYI... In my experience, the balljoints from advance/autozone/etc are total POS. Moog is not that much more money and WELL WELL worth it.. Napa generally carries Moog stuff

Keep in mind that you 'should' get an alignment afterwards, esp depending on how your upper a arms and junk are attached. You can eyeball or mark it, but best bet is to get an alignment.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

And I would do both although you can probably get by with doing one. Generally you do both lowers or both uppers, in my case it was only an extra $100 in parts so I just went ahead and did them all.


I'd say this is somewhat of a complicated thing to do yourself. You have to deal with compressed springs, suspension alignment, etc and if you screw it up it's easy to end up with an immobile vehicle.

Even though I know how to do it myself I'd probably find an independent shop to do it nowadays..

 

[dug777]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5729058_change-ball-joints-jeep-cherokee.html

Sounds like fun, if that's your idea of fun

Really, I guess it all comes down to what tools you have, how much it will cost to hire/buy/borrow anything you don't need, and how much you value your spare time...

 

[mvbighead]

At this point, I am leaning towards just having it done. Looked at some videos online, and while it didn't seem too complicated... I don't know that I am seeing the whole process. Nor do I want to make my vehicle immobile and be running all over to find this that and the other to get the job done.

Some day I'll have a shop and all the tools I need, but not now. Guess you guys answered this one for me easily. To the shop she'll go.

Any idea what I should expect to pay for such repairs? Given that they'll be doing one, I should just have both done, as they'll already have the car lifted and shouldn't take them much time to knock out the others... right?

 

[5150MyU]

1 ball joint labor=1.2hrs.
Both 1.9hrs.
That is only for 1 side and does not include alignment.

 

[mvbighead]

1 ball joint labor=1.2hrs.
Both 1.9hrs.
That is only for 1 side and does not include alignment.

Thanks, I think that helps

 

[Sluggo]

The job as a whole wasn't that difficult, the compressed springs were a little scary to move around. The ones I did were riveted to the control arm. Drilling out those rivets was really one of the most frustrating experiences I have had when working on a car, it almost made me crazy. Now I have a small shop press, so I think I could have ground off the heads and pressed them out, and been done in 1/10th the time. live and learn I guess.

I'd do the job again, and treat myself to lots of beers when I was done.:thumbsup:

 

[5150MyU]

With a whiz wheel(dremel if that's all you got)grind an X in the top of the rivet and with safety glasses and gloves chisel the heads off=4 minutes per rivet.

 

[Bartman39]

1 ball joint labor=1.2hrs.
Both 1.9hrs.
That is only for 1 side and does not include alignment.

Thats for flat rate time which means a reg shop mechanic that does it for a living with all the proper tools including a lift... The general rule of thumb for a person that has never done this type of work is...

Take it to a shop...:thumbsup:

But if your in a bind or know someone that has done it and has the tools then go for it... BTW I used to do them with alignment in 2 hours or less, both sides... For sure only use Moog parts...

 

[Viperoni]

They're a PITA but plenty doable.