1998 Dodge Durango - Loose ball joints?

After getting an oil change at Walmart Auto Center, a mechanic suggested I get a wheel alignment as the inside of one of my car's tires was beginning to wear.



Then I find out, after taking it to the appropriate place to do a wheel alignment, that I have four loose ball joints (upper and lower) on my front end.



I know this is common with Dodge Durangos. I've done my research and am not happy with my car anymore, after I get this fixed it's up for sale.



The first place I took it to gave me a quote of $1,100 - this covers the ball joints, tire rotation and alignment. Is this a deal?



I've never had anything repaired from this shop and want to ask around for a better deal, but before I do (I really my car to get back to work and school, and the place that is asking for $1,100 can do it right away), what's the average for a job like this?
1998 Dodge Durango - Loose ball joints?
that's way to high on replacing ball joints in that vehicle, i did one a few weeks ago and the bill was only about 800 and that was counting the new alignment on it,and i replaced all of them,you need to search around some before you let any shop repair this one,their taking advantage of you on that price,its not a good deal,their making it sound good by saying that they can take it in right away,but don't fall for that trick,its normal for those to need replaced though, its one of the durango,s bad faults,you need to also have them check the tie rod ends on it because bad ball joints will cause premature wear on the tie rod ends also,good luck.
1998 Dodge Durango - Loose ball joints?
your welcome.

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how can that happen 4 ball joint at the same time? Wow $1,100 is alot for a old Durango in repair I had my transmission rebuilt on my 02 Durango for $1,250 dollars last week! I would check other repair shop for a different quote good luck,
Where are the tires wearing on the outside or inside?Why I'am you this is bec if the tires are only wearing on the outside and not the inside I highly doubt that both the upper and lower ball joints are gone.



I'd shop around and have a couple of other shops perform a free front end inspection and get their free quotes or estimates and I'd want to see exactly what parts are bad and be shown the play etc they have.



One of my concerns is you don't mention changing the front tires and if all 4 ball joints are worn out you'd need to replace the tires before ever getting any 4 wheel alignment performed on that vehicle otherwise the getting a 4 wheel alignment is useless.



I just checked with Parts Source here in Canada and the best replacement upper and lower ball joints with a lifetime warranty go for about 100 bucks each retail, or you can get both for under 100 bucks that come with a 1 yr warranty, also the lower ball joints are cheaper for a 4 wheel drive Durango.



Now if you consider the fact that each one takes 30 to 45 mins to replace you're looking at 2 to 3 hrs of labour at an average of about 80 bucks per hr.So the parts shouldn't run any more then 400 bucks and the labour about 240 bucks , plus the alignment is about 80 bucks.That is about 740 bucks without taxes so yes their price is a bit high for sure even if they charge 100 per hr 1,1000 bucks is high.



Again check around and remember that if you plan on selling it then don't spend the money on the lifetime warranty parts and you should be able to find a shop that will do the whole job for around 520 bucks plus taxes.











Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way there are some shops that will install parts that you supply and offer a flat rate per job so you might want to look into that, also the prices I was quoted aren't the lowest prices there are other parts suppliers that offer those parts even cheaper but I'd recommend using at least a mid grade or mid priced replacement part.You might even get one shop to do the labour then book another shop for the same day to do the alignment on it and remember if the tires are worn unevenly they need replacing too.