Ball Joint Replacement - help

[Bandy1080]

Wife just called me from the tire shop after getting her tires rotated and balanced. Shop says that we need ball joints replaced and that it won't pass inspection in 6 months.

Any idea what kind of cost I am looking at? Is this something I get done at a dealer or can my local garage guy do it.

2008 Pathfinder LE w/ 105k miles.

[disallow]

Either they are failed or not. Sounds like a cash grab.

[Bandy1080]

That's what I am thinking right?

We have no steering issues and there is no noise when going over bumps or sharp steering other than the usual pathfinder interior rattle.

[disallow]

take it to a mechanic you trust and have them checked.

It is possible to change just the BJ, but I see that lower control arms are available for not too much coin on Rockauto, so that may be a good way to go as well.

[smj999smj]

I would get a second opinion. If they confirm the ball joints are bad, I would go with a set of Dorman control arms; they have a lifetime warranty.

[Bandy1080]

Finally got a look at the report. They recommend that we replace the lower control arm which includes the ball joints.

They said that the ball joint "has some play in it"

So based on that, what do you think?

I am mainly worried about safety since this is my wife's car and she is driving around in it with my son every day.

[disallow]

Get a second opinion from a shop you trust.