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$1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not
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summer samba
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:37 am    Post subject: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

My 1984 westie needs a lower right ball joint.
Just wondering if this is the going rate for this type of job? Even if it is worst case scenario? I live in a New England metropolitan area, no experience with pricing.
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pioneer1
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:52 am    Post subject: ball joint Reply with quote

If all the quote refers to is replacing a ball joint-not a whole list of things-the part is less than $35/2 hours labor @ $100 per=$250. I guess you need to keep shopping for a garage?
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McVanagon
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:55 am    Post subject: Re: ball joint Reply with quote

pioneer1 wrote:
If all the quote refers to is replacing a ball joint-not a whole list of things-the part is less than $35/2 hours labor @ $100 per=$250. I guess you need to keep shopping for a garage?

Even if they are upselling an alignment, it's still $650 higher than is should be.

Keep looking.
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Captain Pike
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holy sh!t Batman. Shocked
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purplepeopleeater
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll do it for half that, and still need to take a sleeping pill to sleep good.
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Alaric.H
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I do not think that garage likes your van or just needs this months jet ski payment. I charge about 100$ to do one.
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summer samba
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:44 am    Post subject: Thanks Everyone Reply with quote

Thanks Everyone,

I get the point!

I will double check with my mechanic just to see if I misunderstood.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends upon year and condition of the entire suspension.
I do not charge $100 to replace that one part and I only do them in pairs.
This goes for all suspension parts.
$1000 is high for just that one part, but I haven't seen the van.....perhaps the mechanic who has sees issues.
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JoshG
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Where in the East Coast are you located? Just curious as I am in the Boston area.
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BillM
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey summer Samba how about letting us know what town you are seeking repair in. I live in New England specifically Mystic,CT but know of decent shops all over.
In Boston give Stanagon a call. I think his web is Stanagon.com
In Norwich,CT give Budzacks a call (860)889-3119
In Lower Maine call Jon at Foriegn Auto Harpswell Maine
My lift is tied up for a bit so I can't offer any help at this time unfortunately.
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82WestyMan
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

$1,000 for one ball joint?...
only if it included a blonde, a brunette AND a redhead
(sorry, couldn't resist)
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thummmper
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sometimes they need to be heated up and they press out at around 6 tons with a bang when they release--then theres the retainer clip mis match--they no longer make the round wire c clips-- just those flat ones with the little tool holes in the ends, which requires additional flycutting of the lower surface to make room for the flatties.
no big deal. You just need a 10 ton press, a rosebud torch and a bridgeport mill with the holders--
this is why shops hate the lowers-- maybe I'll have them turned and threaded with a peening solution--no more oopswagen hall of fame--
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syncrodoka
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 11:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a pair of lower ball joints pressed out and new ones pressed for $100 IIRC. I am glad I do my own work, I am way too cheap to have the work done for me. Wink
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JOTTO6434
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:40 pm    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

It’s now 2022 and I’m paying $95 at my local vw shop for all four joints to be pressed in.
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Mateo83
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:36 pm    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

Sounds like one of those shops that charges x4 the price because they are busy or don’t really know how to do it.
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skills@eurocarsplus
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:55 pm    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

JOTTO6434 wrote:
It’s now 2022 and I’m paying $95 at my local vw shop for all four joints to be pressed in.


hate to tell you, but only 2 get pressed in.

i can't imagine a shop doing this for under 100 bux if you drove it to them and had to take the spindles off the van. if you handed them the spindles, i could almost believe it.
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Mateo83
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 1:06 am    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

I bought the tool when the local pep boys closed and press in lowers for friends for free
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Abscate Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 2:23 am    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

I charge a $1000 shop fee for anything with a jerry can, lowered, or anything Subaru in it, just for having to look at it.
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 4:45 am    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

A quality ball joint is pushing $100
Add a second quality joint ..... well that's up to $200
Control arm bushings? Now up to $500 ?

And you haven't oaid someone to touch it yet..... or factored in an alignment.

But just for one lower ball joint? Sucker!

Dave
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 7:33 am    Post subject: Re: $1,000.00 For lower front ball joint replace? OK or not Reply with quote

Since the original post was in 2011 I wonder if the shop is still in business?
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