How Much Does It Cost To Replace Ball Joints

If your mechanic just told you that your car needs new ball joints, try not to panic. This is a relatively straightforward job that any qualified mechanic should be able to handle. The price to replace ball joints on mainstream vehicles is also not a budget-buster.

What are ball joints?

Ball joints are part of your vehicle’s front suspension and the steering mechanism. In most cars, there are both upper and lower ball joints. A ball joint has a wide range of motion. It is a ball within a socket allowing movement of other parts of the car in multiple directions. The ball joints are the interface between the vehicle’s steering knuckle and the upper and lower control arms. In a nutshell, they help allow the wheels to move when steering, turning, or if you go over a bump.

Why do I need new ball joints?

If you live in a state with an annual safety inspection, like Car Talk’s home state of Massachusetts does, ball joints are likely part of the inspection. The inspecting mechanic will jack up the front of the vehicle on each side and use a pry bar to test how each of the font tires behaves when stressed with a bit of torque. If the ball joints have excessive play, they will need to be replaced.

Ball joints hold the front suspension and steering mechanisms together in a way that can be dangerous if the ball joint fails. Normally, ball joints are replaced in full on both sides, not just one.

There are a few reasons why ball joints might fail. The first is a damaged rubber boot. Next, wear and tear. Finally, a defect or damage of some kind. Ball joints are not a maintainable item, and they are designed to last 15 minutes longer than your car warranty. Excuse us; we meant to type “the life of the vehicle.”

Symptoms of bad ball joints

A vehicle that begins to handle differently than it did when it was new should always be inspected. Most owners don’t detect a bad ball joint this way, though. The ball joints wear slowly, and you become desensitized to the changes over time as you drive. There can also be a noise due to a bad ball joint that is worn down, but suspensions make so many odd noises there is no signature “Bad ball joint sound,” as there is with, say, a growling wheel bearing or a screeching accessory belt.

When you have your car in for service, and the mechanic performs the “safety checks” that they charge you for, ball joints are often one of the first things checked. Excessive play or binding in a ball joint is not hard to detect. Also, a mechanic can visually inspect the rubber boot surrounding the ball joint. This boot holds in the lubricant that makes the ball joint work smoothly. If it is compromised, you likely need a ball joint replacement.

How much does it cost to replace ball joints?

For most mainstream vehicles, the approximate cost to replace a ball joint is between $250 and $500 per ball joint replaced. If you own a fancy European vehicle, plan to pay more. If you own a sports car, the cost is also likely to be a bit higher. EVs have ball joints too, but there isn’t anything unusual about electrified vehicles when it comes to suspensions. An alignment is usually about $100.

Do I have to do all the ball joints or just one?

If you have one damaged ball joint and three that are just fine, you only need to replace the damaged one. However, if the ball joints are worn down, it is likely you need to do them in pairs. Remember, there are usually four in total.

Do I need an alignment if I have ball joints replaced?

Theoretically, it is possible to replace ball joints and not do a front-end alignment. However, since the ball joints play a role in steering and how the car rolls down the road, it is very common for a mechanic to also align the vehicle’s wheels following a ball joint replacement. You can argue against this, but you are arguing that you know something that you don’t. You really don’t know if the car needs to be aligned. Checking alignment takes about the same amount of time as performing an alignment, so doing one makes sense. An alignment typically costs about $100.

Can I replace my own ball joints?

I once watched a friend replace the ball joints on a well-worn beater of a Fiat Spider. He was an upbeat, friendly guy. During the ball joint change, he used every cuss word I had ever heard, and also a few I think from an ancient Viking language that came to him spontaneously. He threw wrenches. He cursed the state for making him change them to get a sticker, the car, ball joints as a whole, me, and anyone who happened past since he was doing the job on a street in greater Boston. In the end, he prevailed. So, theoretically, anything is possible.

We suggest not trying to change your own ball joints. On a scale of one to five, with 5 being a total engine tear down and 1 changing your car’s cabin filter, a ball joint replacement is only a 2.5 in terms of complexity. However, it is sure handy to have a lift and a ball-joint press to get the job done.

Can I drive on a car that needs ball joint replacements?

If you find out that you need ball joints at your annual vehicle inspection or during other services, you should replace them immediately. You can drive (carefully) home and to the repair shop if need be, but don’t wait. If a ball joint fails, you will lose control of the vehicle’s steering. If the ball joint has failed, you won’t be able to drive the car. The wheel will be at an odd angle to the rest of the car.

Who can replace my ball joints?

A dealership will be happy to do this work but will likely charge about 40% more than an independent shop. Of course, if your vehicle is under warranty, the dealer should be your only choice.

Any shop that has the required tools can replace ball joints. We suggest your local trusted mechanic so long as the mechanic does alignments as well. If you have a vehicle repair chain in your area that you have used and trust, they can certainly do the job.

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