Rear Ball Joint Replacement Cost Estimate
Concerned about potentially overpaying for your rear ball joint replacement? Utilize Mymechanic to obtain a fair cost estimate for your rear ball joint replacement.
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How much does a rear ball joint replacement cost?
The average total cost for a rear ball joint replacement depends on your vehicle’s year and model.
The total parts cost includes new rear ball joints and may also encompass other components in the control arm assembly. Regarding labor, a certified mechanic typically spends around 2-3 hours inspecting your vehicle, assessing the need for repairs, and conducting the rear ball joint replacement.
How did we estimate these prices?
My Mechanic experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all states in Malaysia, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified MyMechanic in Malaysia, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair.
What parts do you need for a rear ball joint replacement?
Your car's suspension system is a sophisticated array of components engineered to reduce driving disturbances. It prevents metal parts from colliding, enhances performance, and ensures a comfortable and smooth driving experience.
As you might expect, your suspension undergoes significant wear and tear. If your ride doesn't feel optimal, any of these suspension components could be the culprit:
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Rear ball joints:In general, car suspensions employ control arms to link the vehicle's wheels to the frame and steering knuckles to enable wheel turning. Control arms facilitate vertical movement, while steering knuckles enable horizontal movement. Ball joints, being spherical, can accommodate both types of motion. Depending on the suspension design, your car may feature two to four front ball joints and zero to two rear ball joints. Rear ball joints (and rear suspension systems overall) tend to be simpler than their front counterparts. They bear much of the vehicle's weight during acceleration and help maintain stability during deceleration.
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Control arms:Control arms can have various shapes such as an 'A', an 'L', or a wishbone, depending on the vehicle model. Some cars utilize both upper and lower control arms. Frequently, control arms are sold with the ball joint already attached. Over time, control arms can break due to factors like rust, vibration, and driving on rough roads.
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Steering knuckles :Depending on the configuration of the wheel assembly, steering knuckles may link the vehicle's wheels to either the control arms or the ball joints. They pivot from left to right, enabling you to steer the car.
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Front ball joints :Similar to rear ball joints, front ball joints are connected to the control arms and/or steering knuckles. Some suspension systems incorporate both upper and lower ball joints. Front ball joints (and front suspension systems overall) are typically more intricate than their rear counterparts. They play a crucial role in maintaining the driver's ability to steer, especially during acceleration or braking.
Remember: During an inspection of your vehicle's suspension system, a mechanic might find that you require new rear ball joints, control arms, steering knuckles, front ball joints, or any combination of these components.
Top options for rear ball joints, front ball joints, and control arms are widely available. Similarly, common choices for steering knuckles are also readily accessible. You can purchase these parts for your car from various retailers such as AutoZone, Amazon, and Advance Auto Parts. However, recommended options may vary based on your vehicle's specific year, make, and model.
You can purchase a new ball joint at automotive body shops, parts shops, dealerships, or online from various retailers. If you prefer OEM parts, you can explore your vehicle manufacturer's official website. Many car makes offer OEM parts online. Refer to your owner's manual for any essential specifications to ensure you select the correct part.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts typically have higher costs compared to aftermarket parts, but they often come with superior warranties. For instance, genuine rear ball joints from the vehicle manufacturer may include a warranty period if installed by a certified mechanic. It's important to note that parts for luxury vehicles tend to be more expensive than those for budget vehicles. However, some aftermarket performance parts manufacturers offer comparable or even superior quality to OEM parts in certain instances.
Where can I get my rear ball joint replaced?
If you've ever wanted to compare local auto shop listings using more than vague ratings systems, try Mymechanic. Just like Mymechanic gets you detailed, personalized car insurance quotes, Mymechanic lets you compare fair pricing estimates* and save money.
Search for "lower ball joint replacement cost" and you'll discover options with a vast network of vetted auto repair shops across the country. View real hourly labor rates and diagnostic fees before making a decision, or explore verified user reviews to find an experience that suits you.
How did we vet these shops?
My Mechanic experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the Malaysia. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually.
How are rear ball joints replaced?
Take your vehicle to a professional for a rear ball joint replacement, and they will:
- Removethe wheels and brakes (if required)
- Disassemblethe rear suspension system (e.g., tie rods, struts, rubber boots, etc.) to access the rear ball joints
- Use a ball joint pressto separate the old ball joint from the rear control arm, or remove the control arm (if it's integrated with the ball joint)
- Pressthe new joint into place using a ball joint press, or install a new control arm
- Reassemblethe suspension components and apply lubrication
If one of your rear ball joints has failed, the other is likely deteriorating as well. It's advisable to replace both at the same time for optimal performance and safety.
Can you drive with a bad rear ball joint?
Yes, you can operate your vehicle with faulty rear ball joints, but it's not recommended for an extended period.
The rear suspension system may not play as significant a role in steering as the front, but it remains a crucial component of your vehicle. It maintains the car cabin suspended over the wheels, stabilizes the wheels, and ensures proper alignment. Worn rear ball joints can compromise your car's performance and, if neglected, could lead to:
- Bad control arms:Without a properly functioning joint for pivoting, your control arms could experience accelerated wear and distortion.
- Alignment issues:Bent control arms can lead to misalignment of your wheels, resulting in increased difficulty in steering.
- Uneven tire wear:Misaligned wheels distribute their weight unevenly, causing stress on irregular areas of the tires.
What is a rear ball joint replacement?
A rear ball joint replacement addresses a crucial component within the rear suspension system of your vehicle.
Ball joints consist of a spherical ball housed within a socket, connected to a straight stud. The socket permits free rotation of the ball, while the stud secures the joint to the control arm and/or steering knuckle. A rubber boot shields the vulnerable gap in the socket's opening.
Over time, this rubber seal can deteriorate, leading to the ingress of dirt and grime into the socket, accelerating the wear of the ball joint. Once ball joints are worn, they cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
What are the symptoms of worn-out rear ball joints?
Here are the indications suggesting a faulty rear ball joint in your vehicle:
- Loose or more difficult handling
- Vibration while steering
- Involuntary steering towards the right or left
- Clunking noises from the rear wheels
- Uneven tire wear
What is the life expectancy of a ball joint?
The life expectancy of a ball joint typically ranges from 70,000 to 150,000 miles. Its longevity depends on factors such as maintenance frequency, weight it bears, and its position within the wheel assembly, whether rear or front. Lower ball joints usually wear out quicker than those connected to the upper control arms, and front ball joints tend to fail sooner than rear ones..
Is replacing rear ball joints a big job?
Replacing ball joints is a significant task that demands basic equipment like a jack, jack stands, and torque wrench, along with ample mechanical expertise. Suspension systems, brakes, and wheel assemblies are intricate, and due to the substantial weight they support, an improper installation could result in catastrophic failure. We don't advise attempting the DIY approach unless you possess comprehensive repair instructions and sufficient time.
FAQs
The primary cause of deteriorating ball joints often stems from issues with the rubber boot that seals the gap between the socket and the ball joint. When this rubber seal deteriorates—due to factors like extreme temperatures, inadequate lubrication, rough road conditions, or regular wear and tear—it can allow dirt and debris to enter the socket, leading to accelerated wear of the ball joint.
Some control arms do not permit the separate replacement of their ball joints; those that do typically utilize "press-in" car ball joints. It's recommended to replace ball joints no more than once; thereafter, the entire control arm should be replaced. While it may seem convenient to interchange small parts, repeated removal and replacement of ball joints can diminish the roundness and diameter of the socket, resulting in a loose and ineffective fit.
No, a wheel alignment is not always necessary after replacing your vehicle's ball joints. If your wheels were aligned when the ball joints were still in good condition, it's likely unnecessary. Only schedule an alignment if your mechanic conducted the previous one while your car had faulty ball joints.
