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Ball Joint Replacement Cost

How Much Does Ball Joint Replacement Cost?

low cost Do-It-Yourself Parts: $125-$320
low costMedium: $500-$1,100

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A pivotal part of a vehicle's suspension system is the ball joint, which has a round ball-like head that swivels inside a cup-like socket. Usually there are four ball joints in a car's front suspension, with an upper and lower one on each front wheel.
 
Typical costs:
  • Having a mechanic replace four ball joints (two per wheel on front suspension systems) runs around $500 -$1,100, depending on the make, model and year of the vehicle. Cars with easy access will take less time and therefore be at the lower end of the scale. High-end luxury cars will be at the high end of the price range, and may cost even more.
  • Basic parts for a do-it-yourself project start around $30 -$80 per ball joint, or $125 -$320 for four, but can go higher for luxury or rare vehicles. Some ball joints are connected to the control arm in one assembly, which must be replaced as a complete unit; part kits for this start average about $500 -$650.
What should be included:
  • Although ball joints are generally extremely durable, they can wear out eventually and the ball won't fit in the socket as well as it did originally. The California Bureau of Auto Repair gives an overview, with illustrations.
  • Popular Mechanics says it's moderately difficult to replace a ball joint, and if the particular vehicle requires the use of a spring compressor it's better to have the job done by a professional mechanic. MobilOil.com rates the project as difficult and estimates it takes an average of three hours.
Additional costs:
  • Some vehicles may require a wheel alignment after replacing the ball joints; this can add $60 -$100 to the total cost. Check the specifications for your car to see if an alignment is needed (it isn't always necessary).
Shopping for ball joint replacement:
  • AutoEducation.com lists tips for choosing a repair shop. Labor usually costs the most. Find out whether the shop charges a flat rate based on the manufacturer's estimated repair times (the customer pays more if it takesc longer to do the job) or the actual time it takes to do the job. Many firms charge a separate diagnostic fee and most repair shops use a higher grade of replacement parts than the cheapest ones available from discount retailers; AA1Car.com gives an overview.
  • Ball joints are available through JC Whitney or PartsAmerica.com.
  • Professional ball joint replacement is offered by Midas car care centers; by auto dealers; or get referred to a certified local repair shop through the National Association for Automotive Service Excellence.
Article updated October 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $957.00 Ball joint replacement
Posted by: RL in Austin, TX.Purchased: October, 2009
Make: 1999 MazdaModel: B2500
Shop: Leonard's Garage
Called a couple places, apparently the 99 Mazda requires 5 hours of work & the parts aren't cheap.

The $957 does not include the necessary alignment too!
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Amount: $398.90 Ball joint replaceemnt
Posted by: Laura S in hanover park, IL.Purchased: 2001
Make: mercuryModel: sable
Shop: Car-x
130,000 miles, replaced front left lower ball joint & front right lower ball joint
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Amount: $1,007.00 Ball joint replacement
Posted by: Anthony F Sadowski in Philadelphia, PA.Purchased: November, 2009
Make: FordModel: Bronco 4x4 5.8
Shop: Jack Sees
This job was labor intensive. The front end has to be completely taken apart. They also replaced the brake rotors and pads for that price.
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Amount: $260.00 Ball Joint Replacement Crown Vic
Posted by: Mark L in Medina, OH.Purchased: January, 2010
Make: FordModel: 2004 Crown Vic
Shop: Chris Schnieder Auto Repair
176,000 miles, replaced upper ball joints only on both sides. Lowers had been done with brake job 30M ago
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Amount: $802.88 Ball Joint Replacement 2500HD Duramax
Posted by: a user in Bryan, TX.Purchased: January, 2010
Make: 2002 ChevroletModel: 2500 HD Duramax
Shop: Advanced Auto Repair
253,483 Miles, Replaced lower ball joints on both sides. Inspection showed that upper ball joints were still good, Pitman & Idler Arms Needed Replacement. Lester always does a fantastic job and warranties everything he does for a year. Quick Turnaround and Fair Price.
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Amount: $538.00 Front Ball Bearing Replacement
Posted by: DT in Greensboro, NC.Purchased: 2004
Make: KiaModel: Sorento
Shop: Battleground Kia
2003, 4 wheel Drive vehicle. This price was only for the front wheels.
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Amount: $374.00 Front Ball Joint Replacement and Alignment
Posted by: Al B in Virginia Beach, VA.Purchased: February, 2010
Make: CadillacModel: Sedan DeVille
Shop: Firestone
Front right lower ball joint required alignment afterward
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Amount: $503.42 Ball Joint Replacement
Posted by: Tania in Columbus, OH.Purchased: February, 2010
Make: 1999Model: Expedition
Shop: Sears
The total includes the allignment.
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Amount: $809.00 Ball joint replacement
Posted by: Kristi in Denton, TX.Purchased: February, 2010
Make: FordModel: Ranger XL
Shop: Koiner Brother's
All 4 ball joints replaced and alignment.
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Amount: $450.00 ball joint replacement
Posted by: jjhilton in bedford, TX.Purchased: February, 2010
Make: fordModel: ranger
Shop: pep boys
replacement of both lower and whell aligment money well spent after seeing pics of what could of happened if I kept driving
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Amount: $250.00 ball joint
Posted by: a user in chicago, IL.Purchased: March, 2010
Make: FordModel: Explorer 95
Parts an Auto Zone $50 , found mechanic online who took $200 for labor
Midas wanted to charge me $1600 !!!!
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Amount: $260.00 Lower Ball joint (passenger) 99 Durango
Posted by: Kitty in Savannah, GA.Purchased: March, 2010
Make: DodgeModel: Durango
Shop: Jessie\'s Automotive
Both passenger and driver lower ball joints needed to be replaced, but I opted for the really really bad one which was the passenger side. I\'ll do the driver later when I have more mula.
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Amount: $538.00 Ball joint replacement / camber replacement
Posted by: patrickmetzger@msn.com in Irving, TX.Purchased: April, 2010
Make: FordModel: 07 Mustang
Shop: Goodyear
Goodyear here "DFW" charged 538.00 after taxes.
They replaced right lower ball joint part 116.00 labor 160.00 and put on 2 camber adjusters part 40 bucks x2 labor 45.00 x2 and a wheel alignment 65.00. the work took less than 2 hours to perform.

Should have spent the money a while ago because I have to buy a new set of tires for the front.
They were less than a year old and are down to the belts almost on one side. don't wait or run the car on used tires if you must.
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Amount: $1,100.00 Ball Joint Replacement 82,000 miles
Posted by: Barry Edelstein in New Braunfels, TX.Purchased: September, 2004
Make: Ford RangerModel: (2x2) Edge
Shop: Firestone Crossroads Bvd
Remove & Replaced upper-front ball joint (with control arm) both sides - Price each: $222.99, labor Price: $130.50, and lower-lower ball joint both sides - Price each: $78.99, labor Price: $174.00, Firestone dealer said the cause was because rubber dust covers were torn away and not greased on a regular basis which cause premature wear internally to the ball and socket (Ford products are known for this problem), Repack front wheel bearings - Price each side: $78.99. Break system flush - labor Price: $60.00 & fluid Price: $19.99, Lifetime alignment service - labor Price: $139.99. Total parts Price: $623.93; Total labor Price: $398.69; shop supplies: $23.92; coupon discount: $213.80; Tax(8.25%): $53.46; Total $1,100
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Amount: $208.00 Ball Joint Replacement/ new wheel bearing/ new plugs and wires
Posted by: Jon Elmore in Solon Springs, WI.Purchased: August, 2008
Make: FordModel: Taurus
Shop: Friends Garage
My brother isn't a mechanic, but he has some skills. He fixed my passenger front lower ball joint and wheel bearing spark plugs and Wires for 50$... The main expense was the parts.. Wheel bearing and Spark plug/wires were 128$ and the Ball joint was 30$.. So my final expenses were 208$
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Amount: $226.00 Ball Joint Replacement
Posted by: Ms. Favours in Columbia, TN.Purchased: May, 2010
Make: HondaModel: Accord
Shop: Goodyear
had to have front right upper ball joint repalced and wheel alignment after. Labor was $120..more than the parts.
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Amount: $765.00 Ball joint replacement
Posted by: a user in Statesburg, SC.Purchased: 2010
Make: 2003 FordModel: F-150
I thought I was overcharged until I called around. I then realized that the shop took alittle off the price because I am a regular.
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Amount: $550.00 4 Ball joints replaced
Posted by: ppin2win in Tampa, FL.Purchased: August, 2010
Make: 98 FordModel: Explorer
Having all four ball joints replaced
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Amount: $310.36 ball joint replacement
Posted by: Alain Houle in Montreal, Other.Purchased: September, 2004
Make: HyundaiModel: XG 350
Shop: Dealer
The car got in the shop because of a recall ,sub-frame replacement ,the service manager told me I had to change the lower ball joints .Had only 108,000 KM ,and because they were working on the front suspension ,my cost was absorbed (partly) because of the recall.Not sure they needed replacement ,all regular maintenance had been done .
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Amount: $680.00 Ball Joint Replacement
Posted by: RKD in Tuscaloosa, AL.Purchased: August, 2010
Make: 2001 FordModel: Taurus
Shop: Dealer
Price included parts, labor, and tax for replacing ball joints and the alignment.
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