suspension problem

[phoonerorlater]

Ok so I buy my ty last friday. The alignment is off some no big deal, I take it to the local shop and they tell me and show me that my ball joints are bad and my idle arm is bad. Then the punch in the face came. over $800 for all the repairs. Is there a cheaper way to fix this? If someone in so cali can put the parts on and teach me I would greatly appreciate it. What kind of parts should I get? Just the regular ones off car parts.com? I mean for $2100 I can get a full dunstan front suspension!! Thanks

Keith

 

[Lynn D. Brown]

Suspension

Suspension

Keith,

The stock Idler arm, and the Pitman arm also, suck and typically have to be replaced right off if U like a tight steering wheel. So, no arguement there. Ball joints R another matter. The way to check them is to grip the wheels on each side at the top and bottom and check 4 play.

 

[4C FED]

If I remember correctly, $300-400 for bushing/balljoints, pitman & idler.
So you could save yourself a lot of money if you do he work yourself.
The problem is it's a PITA.

How did they show you that the ball joints are bad?
Was the wheel hanging at the bottom of it's travel or was it supported under the control arm at it's normal ride height?

You could do the idler yourself in a couple of hours + an alignment if the ball joints are OK.

 

[phoonerorlater]

they lifted the front wheels up and shook them and said there was too much play in them.

 

[Ian Turgeon]

You can do all that stuff yourself in a day. I would suggest getting the beffiest parts availible from moog. several places carry them.