man im pissed, i went to go get alignment done and they couldnt do it because i need new centerlink, idler arm, and lower ball joint and was quoted at $540 parts and labor at midas. Has anyone had it done cheaper and where or how hard to do myself?

 

That's going to be about average price at most shops for that kind of work. You can do it yourself, but there's a couple special tools you need. Do a SimpleSearch for "ball joint" to learn more.

 

Depending on your confidence level, you could just replace that stuff yourself. None of it takes great skill but, if you don't have stuff like a good jack it would be more difficult. The centerlink & idle arm can be replaced w/o getting the car off the ground but, it does make doing that more difficult.

Autozone prices...
$33 idle arm
$46 centerlink
$13 ball joint
$100 to rent a ball joint press ($ gets refunded upon return of tool)
$20 (or so) to rent a ball joint seperator ('pickle fork')

$92 for parts & a temp loss of $120 for extra tool. Doing it yourself & saving the cash is always well worth it (IMO) plus, for an extra $13 you could do the opposite side ball joint & not have to worry about it crapping out shortly after your new alignment.

It took me a little over an hour when I did them on my camaro (1st time using bjoint press tool) and wasn't nearly as hard as I had imagined (comparing it to when I rebuilt the front of my 'bird with a homemade press).

Other than doing it yourself you're going to pretty much be stuck close to that price. Most places (that I've run across) like to charge a little extra for 'their' parts as well. I was quoted around $500 for new outer tie rods, an idle arm, & a ball joint to be put on from pepboys and a little over that from a local alignment shop. Being the po **** I am, I opted for the DIY option. Fortunatly I had my friends garage to borrow at the time (my 'bird was a bit more..spread out then..)

 

I work in a parts store, get me the specifics on the car and where you are and I will see what I can come up with..who knows I may be able to beat the pricing...

Melissa

 

Wow, you paid $20 to rent a pickle fork? You coulda bought one for about 7 bucks. It's gonna be an admittedly cheap one, but if you're just doing it for one or two jobs in your lifetime, it's good enough.

 

I personally own a $10 and have gotten lots of use out of it (beyond just seperating ball joints).

$20 to 'rent' one isn't bad considering you get every dollar back when you take it back to Autozone so really, you're not paying anything (unless you lose it)

 

True. lol. "Beyone seperating ball joints"? I don't think I wanna know. Glad your ball joint job came out good.