Replacing Vehicle Ball Joints? Anyone done it?

[acnewman55]

Just wondering if anyone has had their ball joints replaced?

What did it cost for your vehicle?

Has anyone replaced them his/herself?

How difficult/involved was the process?

Thanks!

[Johnb317]

Make, model, year?
Usually buy the part with new ball joint. 
Not a big deal.  I live in Bellevue if you need help. 

[gasman]

No to bad at all. replaced mine on my Jeep and I need to replace them on my Dodge.

Rent a Ball Joint Puller and its a cake walk 

Used to do them the old fashion way, big hammer and punch but the puller makes a world of differance 

[mkcj]

I replaced mine on my 98 dodge diesel, not to bad but the right tools are a must and a press will make it that much easier.

[Wazukie]

  all the above.  Getting ready to do my 03 Yukon XL but I'm going to replace the whole control arms because the bushings are shot.  Piece of cake either way with the proper tools and a little mechanical know how.

[Kittman]

Some pictures from an earlier post to sort of give you an idea what's involved on a Dodge D60 axle:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,141635.msg1886094.html#msg1886094
 

[acnewman55]

Thanks for the tips and feedback.

Its a 2008 Ford Escape.

[t6]

 

All of the above..... and you can always go to youtube.com   

Its amazing how many "How to" videos are posted there.

[acnewman55]

  Youtube has been an awesome resource in my research on any vehicle fixes!

[Old Man Yager]

  Look it up on you tube, you can rent the ball joint press at Orielly's or Auto Zone. You pay a deposit, but you get it all back when you return the tool. Buy a repair manual, those give good direction, too, if you are able to do the labor yourself. I had a repair shop quote me over 2k for my 1990 Toyota, but I did it all myself for about 250 bucks. They were trying to tell my my wheel bearings were shot , but they were ok. make sure if you have a shop do it, they are somebody you trust or can get references on. Unfortunately, some of them WILL rob you blind if you let them.

[4fletch]

Last ball joints I did we're on my 56 chev business coupe back in the 70's.

[mrgoodwrench]

I've done lots of different ones.  Buy a ball joint press if you think you'll ever do any others.  But look into it, an Escape is a light rig.  Many of those are riveted into the control arms.  You just grind rivets, knock them out, and put new ones in with bolts.  No press needed.