Shop quoted $750 for lower ball joint replacements -- is this right?

[Humpzilla]

Hey all,

Evidently my lower ball joints are in need of replacement (2000 LX470 with 255k miles), and the shop I typically go to quoted me $750 to replace the ball joints including labor. They say the ball joints themselves are pretty inexpensive ($50 each or something like that), but they're quoting me 3 hours of labor per side ... which is where the cost is coming from. They are NOT replacing the entire LCA ... just the ball joints.

Before I commit to this, I'd love to get y'alls thoughts on if this seems about right, or if this is outside the norm. I was kind of surprised at the labor time ... but I don't know diddly squat about how involved this is.

Oh, and before anyone chimes in .... I'm not doing this job myself. I've not got the time, tools or desire to tackle this right now.

Thanks in advance!
- jeff

 

[David*BJ70]

IIRC, my mechanic took near to 4h to change all 4 ball joints.

I brought him 555 ball joints from Cruiser Outfitters

 

[DuckLN]

Get the Napa brand lower ball joint - they’re about $95/each but you’ll only do it once. Some other lbjs are known to lack proper shape and will go into the control arm too far.

Fyi - You can’t get oem lower ball joints without buying the lower control arm.

 

[GOLIGHTLY]

If I recall from doing mine about a year ago, I think it took me about 4 hours total for both sides. That being said, I had a vice, the tools, the time, etc. Your quoted hourly rate sounds slightly high, but I haven’t been to a mechanic in years so I’m not the best judge there.

Interested to hear consensus though.

EDIT: 4hrs total, net of beer and baseball watching time.

 

[gwatts]

LBJs from 555 can last one year or more... depending on who installed it.
I have one from from a solid shop and needed (still needs) replacement after a year
The other side is going strong after a year. YMMV
Both were $300+ ea to be replaced
I'm now getting new LCAs from PartsSouq for ~$350/side complete with ball joint and one of the frame side bushings. I'm not installing, don't have the time either.
Considering the OG joint lasted 200k+ miles I'll be good.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I've had all 4 555 joints in my truck for a couple years now, from Cruiser Outfitters, no issues at all. 3 hours per side seems high, they may not be familiar with the job or some short cuts, so they're buffering their time.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Having done lower ball joints on these vehicles several times, $750 is a fine and fair deal. It's involved and they need to account for variables as well.

The 555s are a good product, just make sure there is plenty of grease in them when installing. The factory amount they come with seems to vary a bit. It's what comes IN the Napa boxes, and some Moog boxes as well. Cruiser outfitters has them for $50 whereas my local places were charging $90+ for rebranded ones.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We have sold/installed thousands of 555 joints with fantastic results!

Ball Joint - Fits Lower 1998 - 2007 100/LX470 Applications (SUS43340)

Toyota Land Cruiser Ball Joint

cruiserteq.com

 

[suprarx7nut]

I don't think that's absurdly high. Not cheap, but seems reasonable enough to me.

I would just replace the entire arm with new OEM Toyota. Best parts available and it might even reduce your labor time. Should at least stay even on labor, but then you get a brand new Toyota ball joint and bushing out of the deal. Note the lower control arm has one bushing and then the frame has the other. If you opt to do the frame side one, you might have some minimal added labor cost. Worth doing while you're in there, IMO.

 

[jerryb]

I would also just get new arms and be done. (I do have 555 on there now for 4+ years top and bottom)
This comes from the idea that in the near future I'm going to replace the top arms also.

 

[bamabrock]

 

[AlpineAccess]

I don't think that's absurdly high. Not cheap, but seems reasonable enough to me.

I would just replace the entire arm with new OEM Toyota. Best parts available and it might even reduce your labor time. Should at least stay even on labor, but then you get a brand new Toyota ball joint and bushing out of the deal. Note the lower control arm has one bushing and then the frame has the other. If you opt to do the frame side one, you might have some minimal added labor cost. Worth doing while you're in there, IMO.

I agree and was going to recommend this as well - it does substantially increase the cost though.

Control arms, $350 a side. Labor looks like $600 right now. T-bar/ride height reset, pulling frame side bushing, etc. probably add another hour. So $750-800 in labor so $1500 for full job.

 

[2001LC]

3 hour per side shop rate, seem about right. I doubt Toyota has a book rate for this, since they don't sell LBJ.

For those contemplating replacing lower ball joints themselves. A few tips:
1) Use ball joint puller! I correct a lot of damage, that is done by beating off ball joints.
2) Don't chisel off grease cap. Install new grease cap if old not very tight or is deformed in any way. Otherwise risk water entry.
3) Don't allow FDS (AKA CV) to fall on LCA or even rest on it. The metal dust shield will be bent.
4) Remove new ball joint boot. This allows for a smaller diameter press cup, which fits snugly. Which helps guide new LBJ in squarly. I see a lot of new 555 with torn boots, which IMHO is from not removing boot.
4) In above video he used wrong configuration of press. Makes job easier if set up properly.
5) Press ball joint all the way in.
6) Use a new hub flange snap ring and set it's gap.
6) Use a torque wrench on assemble of knuckle.
7) IMHO it's best to replace brake caliper mounting bolt, if they never been replaced.




Old grease cap was reused, which had some chisel marks and did not very tight when removed. Water entry damaged axle and wheel bearings (other side not pictured, was worst).
Grease turns brown when water mixed in. Apparently it was a pink grease, injected with a Slee spindle tool. 150K miles and I ended up replacing axle and wheel bearings. Which is very rare to need to replace any.

 

[homefryy]

4) Remove new ball joint boot. This also allows for a smaller diameter press cup, which fits snugly. Which helps guide new LBJ in squarly. I see a lot of new 555 with torn boots, which IMHO is from not removing boot.

I strongly 2nd this. Just did my lower ball joints and didn't remove the boots. It really sucks to have to go buy new replacement boots for the brand new ball joints. The tears in mine were small and right at the corner of the shoulder that the top of the boot goes over. I'm just glad I noticed before I put the knuckles back on.