4 ball joints-4 wheel bearings-2 outer tie rods - alignment

[Ranger44]

now just think, if you learned how to do it yourself.... it would have cost $100 for all of those parts! (plus allignment).

$100? Please........maybe for junk discount parts. It pays to use MooG, Timken, precesion, and national bearing. Basically higher end federal mougal parts. I'll say from experience, house brand will last a year if you are lucky.....

man that is why its good to know people. i got quoted 200$ to do that. from a backyard mechanic that does alot of auto work from my coworkers and he got good reviews all around. Personally 200$ is still too much for me and im going to try and do it myself 1st. besides the alignment that needs to be done at a shop.

Backyard repairs can be sketchy. There is a right way to do things, and most shops that know what they are doing will hit it dead on the first time. That's why it's a good idea to go to a shop. Plus most shops will warranty the work they do, well......a good shop will. Trust me, I've been there, done that, thought i was a great driveway mech, boy did i learn some shit the first month at a shop........I absolutely have more confidence in my repairs......

A backyard mech can be in over his head, or unknowingly do something improper with a repair. Or just not be equipped with proper tools for a job, or install a part properly. You can't #$%& around with suspension/steering/brakes.....I'll stress brakes. That's safety in the balance......not only for you, or your family....but others that share the roadways too.

Just saying, shops may seem expensive, but quality and safety is worth it.

 

[hero419]

I did 4 ball joints and one axle last year (I ripped the boot getting the spindle off).
I might have paid 15% of what you did.

A few months ago I thought it would be nice to drop the truck off for a muffler, tail pipe, and another center pipe and not have to get my hands dirty. I thought it would be a good trial to see if I can start getting away from taking up my time with car repairs.

$350 bucks later I decided The only think I need a shop for is an alignment and tire work.

I'm not sure how people afford not learning how to do their own work.

 

[pillen140]

$100? Please........maybe for junk discount parts. It pays to use MooG, Timken, precesion, and national bearing. Basically higher end federal mougal parts. I'll say from experience, house brand will last a year if you are lucky.....



Backyard repairs can be sketchy. There is a right way to do things, and most shops that know what they are doing will hit it dead on the first time. That's why it's a good idea to go to a shop. Plus most shops will warranty the work they do, well......a good shop will. Trust me, I've been there, done that, thought i was a great driveway mech, boy did i learn some shit the first month at a shop........I absolutely have more confidence in my repairs......

A backyard mech can be in over his head, or unknowingly do something improper with a repair. Or just not be equipped with proper tools for a job, or install a part properly. You can't #$%& around with suspension/steering/brakes.....I'll stress brakes. That's safety in the balance......not only for you, or your family....but others that share the roadways too.

Just saying, shops may seem expensive, but quality and safety is worth it.

ummmm, i dont buy house brand shit. i bought moog ball joints, and timken bearings, i havent had to replace my tie rods on my current truck. but thats what you can pay if you shop around, maybe a little more. and just because you dont own a shop doesnt mean you cant do the work properly(i.e monro, meineke, and tons of other shops, large chains and small garages). and by the way, most shops dont know what they are doing. they dont torque things properly, sometimes dont assemble stuff right, and just try to get stuff done the fastest they can. there is no better thing than doing it right on your own. you know what was actually done. do you honestly think that a shop is going to order you moog parts? NO! they are going to get you the cheapest shit possible and charge you what list price is even though they got it for half price! so next time you open your mouth, you might want to think about what youre saying. most shops will try to do their best, but some dont care. not saying there is anything wrong with going to a mechanic, but youre making it sound like its the only way to go.

 

[-Nathan-]

$100? Please........maybe for junk discount parts. It pays to use MooG, Timken, precesion, and national bearing. Basically higher end federal mougal parts. I'll say from experience, house brand will last a year if you are lucky.....



Backyard repairs can be sketchy. There is a right way to do things, and most shops that know what they are doing will hit it dead on the first time. That's why it's a good idea to go to a shop. Plus most shops will warranty the work they do, well......a good shop will. Trust me, I've been there, done that, thought i was a great driveway mech, boy did i learn some shit the first month at a shop........I absolutely have more confidence in my repairs......

A backyard mech can be in over his head, or unknowingly do something improper with a repair. Or just not be equipped with proper tools for a job, or install a part properly. You can't #$%& around with suspension/steering/brakes.....I'll stress brakes. That's safety in the balance......not only for you, or your family....but others that share the roadways too.

Just saying, shops may seem expensive, but quality and safety is worth it.

Thats a fair statement, but I have also seen vehicles (never mine....I do my own work, but people I know) come back from a certified shop with half the bell housing bolts missing or loose, lug nuts loose and wheel fall off on the highway, etc.

Stupid people get jobs at certified shops as well. Would you rather have a moron with a mechanics ticket working for the first time on a TTB ranger do your ball joints? or someone like me that can do it in my driveway with my eyes closed and one hand behind my back because Ive torn apart my front end countless times?

Just saying, there are always two-sides to an argument.

 

[hero419]

Your point has less impact when you over exaggerate.

Just saying....

 

[-Nathan-]

It is called hyperbole. Used to exaggerate and further my point. People generally understand, same as with sarcasm.

Point being would you rather take a chance with an idiot at a shop, or someone who has experience with the very vehicle you own.

 

[hero419]

It's the same as sitting around a conference table, in a formal meeting. Someone has a good point but it gets lost because he thought he had to curse to emphasize his point.

Just saying...

 

[pillen140]

ok, i think were all done arguing here... including myself. glad the o.p. got his truck fixed.

 

[modelageek]

some member the other day asked about torque specs for his shocks he was installing. Boy did that guy get ripped a new one by a few "professional" mechanics that laughed at him and said if they ever had to spend time with a torque wrench they would never get anything done. I prefer fixing my truck myself. I think I do a better job then the "pros" at the dealerships, etc. The dealerships sure are putting up a fight about letting others get the codes and software for "their" cars. I had a used car dealer the other day tell me what are you going to do if the CEL comes on. You got to buy a used car from a dealer or you will get screwed...... I chuckled at him.......owe and Moog parts from Rockauto.com for the OP is about $180 plus shipping