Can you replace lower ball joints yourself?

Recognizable for a knocking sound in the wheel well as you execute a turn, fixing old ball joints is an important part of keeping your vehicle road-safe. You can do it yourself for the price of the parts and the right approach. via

How much does it cost to replace both lower ball joints?

You might be surprised to learn that replacing a ball joint is not overly expensive. You can expect to pay around $300 in most cases, including both parts and labor. Most ball joints cost about $100 to $150, while the labor costs will run you $150 to $200. via

How much does it cost to replace ball joints on a van?

In general, ball joints are inexpensive with a range between $20 to $80 each. Labor will vary greatly by model. Some vehicles cost as low as $60 to $80. Yet others, especially four-wheel drive trucks, can range from $160 to $200 per ball joint. via

How much does it cost to replace a lower control arm?

A new control arm can set you back anywhere between $50 to $100, depending on your car or truck. As it is an advanced task, the replacement of this component can cost you more than $100 and go way up to $400 or more. via

What does a lower ball joint do?

Basically, the lower ball joint allows the wheels and tires to be connected to the vehicle and its steering assembly. This is what enables you to make right turns or left turns with the steering wheel. via

How do you remove a lower ball joint? (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9O_cOB2MTI

How do you install a lower ball joint? (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icJ6DdbEmrg

How can you tell if you got a bad ball joint? (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bVn7E8gyk

How long should lower ball joints last?

Generally speaking, you should expect to have to have your ball joints replaced between 70,000 to 150,000 miles of driving. Excessive play in the joint can cause additional wear, and if a ball joint fails, your car's suspension could collapse and you could lose control of the vehicle. via

Is it hard to replace lower control arm?

Control arm replacement can be difficult—especially if the vehicle's suspension is rusted and corroded. Separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle can be tricky, too, if you've never done the job before. And, oh yeah, you'll want to get your car's alignment checked after replacing the control arm. via

How long does it take to change a lower control arm?

Is a control arm easy to replace at home? On the difficulty scale from 1 to 10, replacing a control arm is 7 or 8. In the shop, it takes about 1-1.5 hours to replace one control arm. via

Can you replace just one lower control arm?

It is not necessary to replace both lower or both upper control arms if one is bad, but often they wear out at roughly the same mileage. If one control arm is bad and the other is on its way, it makes sense to replace both arms at once. This way, you only need to do the wheel alignment once. via

What does a broken tie rod sound like?

A knocking or clunking sound from the front of the vehicle when turning at low speeds can be a symptom of bad tie rods. As they become loose, tie rods can rattle around at the joints and links, causing the new noises you're hearing. via

How long does it take to change a tie rod?

The price of tie rods, parts and labor can vary from vehicle to vehicle. The average car can probably get a tie rod replaced in about an hour labor plus about $80 for the part, so about $170. Add an alignment and the total price may be closer to $260. via