Upper ball joints shot?

[dross99_si]

Had the 2007 Tahoe state inspected yesterday and the mechanic feels that the upper ball joints need to be replaced. Mileage is currently 134K. Is this a common problem/good possibility or is the mechanic trying to pull one over on me? Part of me wants to get a second opinion (more $ of course) and part of me says just go ahead and have them replaced as failing ball joints can be a disaster and nothing to take lightly.
Shop quoted around $450 for new upper arms, labor and front alignment.
What do you guys think? Is there a good chance they're done being an 07 with 134K?

 

[jdpber]

ok so the A-Arms are about $100 each in parts so $200. then you have labor which is about 45min so the shop charges an hour at 65-90/hr so you are at $300 then your alignment is about $50 $350 then you have a shop mark up and boom $450.

you can do the job in your driveway for $140 in parts ordering them from RockAuto MOOG complete PROBLEM solver uppers are $77 each. then an alignments local.

at 134k im guessing they are Factory and they should be dead so yea im guessing its time to replace.

 

[dross99_si]

Thank you for the reply! Normally I would probably attempt the work myself, but we just moved across the country and into an apartment and I don't have access to a garage or most of my tools at the moment. My hands are kinda tied as far as that goes, so I may just have to tell the shop to go ahead with the repairs so I can get the inspection sticker and not get hassled by the cops.

 

[Jason_S]

You could do both sides in the parking lot in a day. That is if the complex manager doesn't throw a fit about work ing in the parking lot and depending on how rusted the front end is. I know guys that have swapped entire axles in their apartment parking lots before so I wouldn't sweat it, unless you cant finish in a weekend.

You can replace the upper arms with basic tools and you would just need a jack and a jack stand.

 

[fiatdale]

John is spot on - Yes its time for them to be replaced. If you have a couple hours you could knock it out without anyone knowing. Very easy to do.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

$450 all-in isn't too bad, especially if you don't have the means to comfortably do it. You get new UCA's AND an alignment out of the deal, plus at least some warranty if something doesn't feel right. The only problem might be if they start saying the LCA's are shot, and you need shocks, etc., etc.

But that quote doesn't sound bad.

 

[dross99_si]

I just had the shop do it as I didn't want to mess with it in the apartment parking lot on a 40 degree day. Actually all said and done they charged me $375 OTD to replace the UCAs and do the alignment. I was happy the final bill came out to be less than the initial quote. I believe I have a 1 year warranty on the parts. Glad it's done and over with and I got my inspection sticker.

 

[MichaelSE]

You can replace the upper arms with basic tools and you would just need a jack and a jack stand.

How do you separate the ball joint from the knuckle?

 

[Jason_S]

If you are lucky, just a hammer. I guess I forgot about the pickle fork when I said basic. The one I have is an Autozone special and set me back like ten bucks, and I've used it for other things besides separating tie rod ends and ball joints.

 

[08HoeCD]

$375 OTD for that work sounds great to me. Shops around me want at least $800!