How would I check if the ball joints are still tight or not? I do get a knock when I make turns.

If they are is this a DIY or would I take it to an Indy for simple boot replacement?
I see ball joints on Fastlane are only $27. each. What is the large price difference with replacing the whole b joint vs just the boot??
....they don't list boots only to sell....

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

if the boots are ripped assume they are bad as you do not know how long they have been ripped. you can jack the front end up and wiggle the spindle side to side to see if there is play. not to be mistaken with wheel bearing play(also bad) it will also require a press.


Lower Ball Joint Replacement Question

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Assume the ball joints are bad or the boots? I get a knock when I turn the wheel L or R. And looking under front end the BJ's look to be the only worn parts.
I read that thread and replacing sounds like a job above my pay scale....er I don't wanna mess it up any further. I'm reading from $30 per b joint to replace up to $300. for a pair. Any idea what should be a fair price for an indy or a good allighnment shop to replace 2 ball joints?

THANKS!
Austin

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

assume the ball joints are bad. its really not a hard job.

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Kidding right?
I just looked up the DIY tab on this site and it looks like a serious job to DIY. WIth lots of warnings....

Any ideas for $$$$$ on outsourcing this to a qualified INDY or Allignment shop??

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

too much money to have an indy do.

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I wouldn't think it would be all that bad if they had the tools to press them in place without removing the LCA.

Can't take more than one hour per side, with the right tools.

I'd guess about $200 parts and labor. But, what else needs to be changed while they are under there??

one hour per side is doubtfull. i belive they go by the labor guide.

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Yes, I suppose you're correct. The whole situation with the press probably precludes one hour per side. Be curious if anyone knows the book time for lower ball joints.

ill try to check it at work tomorrow

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

That's right........I forgot you're hooked up with that info.

Brian and Snoopy;

Tom W. says it's possible I may not need new ball joints and possibly just the boots.
Do either of you know how I check if it's just the boots?

If that's the case It would be less expensive and easier to repair.
aa

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

The ball joint should not have any play in it. If you attempt to pry on it, there should be no movement of the ball within the socket. Once the boot is compromised, water and dirt get into the socket and wear occurs rapidly.

You can't easily put the boots on without breaking the ball joint taper out of the spindle. At that point, you're half way to replacing the joint.

Personally, I wouldn't want to attempt to remove the joint without damaging it.

i agree. the reason i would just go with new ball joints is because you dont know how long the boots have been ripped. if its only been for the last 100miles i would say go ahead with the boot, but since your there why not install a new ball joint? if its been ripped longer than that(most likely) i can have dust and alot of other things in it that will make it wear out/ gritty

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

personaly on my cars if the boot is ripped from age, the ball joint is due for replacment. it also get rid of the squeak when you bounce the front end of the car up and down

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it