So yesterday I replaced my stock springs with Eibach Sportlines Looks good but the only problem is that this morning my car started to feel funky and when I got to the shop to do the alignment the mechanic told me that I needed new balljoints. It was clear that I did need some since I was able to see how horrible condition they where... In total it came out to $399 for both ball joints,labor, and the alignment. I really liked how they did the job and was very satisfied but I wast sure if I overpaid for the job.

 

Doesn't sound like you got fleeced when you take into account what labor charges are. Now if you compare to doing the ball joints yourself and just taking it in for an alignment you spent a bit.

 

Alright kool just making sure...well the reason as for why I got it right there on the spot was because 1) I had heard good tings about this shop and 2) I couldn't wait and needed my car back up on the road since it is my daily driver..

but man at the cost of the $400 my cars handles now..!Like it feels so much smoother did it did before...Im not happy that I blew $400 but I am that I got a god job done on my car....plus he gave me a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty on the ball joints so that's not too bad.

 

yeah, it's high... moog ball joints are $35, so even if they double the cost of those, and take out $80 for the high side of what an alignment would cost, you still have $250 in labor for two ball joints... Not sure how much they charge for labor per hour there, but an experienced mechanic with the right tools, should be able to do both ball joints in an hour.

for that price I would have thought you could get tie rods, idler arm, ect... not just ball joints. If those were shot chances are everything was shot too. are you sure they didn't do more work than you listed? Most garages wouldn't just change the ball joints

 

well from what I saw them do it was the balljoints and alignment, thats pretty much it...per hour they charged about a lil over $90 since I asked the guy.

 

then they took three hours to do 2 ball joints? I'm not seeing it. the very first time I did ball joints it didn't take that much time, and I didn't have the right tools.

 

they took around 2.5-3 hours cant remember exactly but regardless now ogf the price. I already paid it soo...its kinda too late for me to complain now...LOL

 

yeah, what's done is done. I'm glad they did a good job, but remember that if your tie rod ends are shot, then you'll have to do this all over again, including the alignment.

 

same here...but how can I tell if the tie rods are bad??

 

it could be a lot of things, including a rattle or hop when you are coming to a stop. My rule of thumb is that if the ball joints are bad, the tie rods have probably seen the same amount of wear and tear, unless you know for sure that they have been changed more recently.

 

If the shop is as good as you say they are supposed to be, and they noted that the ball joints were bad, they should have checked the tie rods ends too. It only takes a minute with the car on a hoist to wiggle the tire back and forth and look at the tie rods. they can't align it properly if the tie rods are worn out.

 

Well when he wiggles the tire the balljoints were definatly done..is there anyway for me to check if the tie rods need replacement as well?

 

I would suggest calling the shop and asking them if they gave the tie rods a clean bill of health while the ball joints were being replaced

 

Your right ima call them in the morning.....if they were to replace them what would be a reasonable cost for the replacement of them?