Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Good gracious at costs of replacing front-end items on my:

2500 Chevrolet Crew-cab Diesel truck. First, I had a ball joint I needed to have replaced. I knew I did but when Firestone off Hwy 280 called me back, they said that I needed more than the ball join and I need this and that and basically, lots of front-end joints and stuff to the tune of $2700. Most of it labor. I almost chit in my pants!! $2700?? Wow.

Anybody around Bham do this kind of work? My truck has a lot of miles on it so I don't doubt my truck's front-end needs the things done Firestone says it needs.

Just wondering if anyone here had any suggestions who else may do this kind of work close to B'ham?

Thanks.

I had one done at a dealership for about $300.

Diesel Unlimited in Alabaster

Do it yourself and take it to them for alignment. It's not that hard. Rent ball joint press from auto parts store and go at it. I've done entire front end on my 06 silverado, 07 silverado and 02 tundra. It's not all that bad

Marcus at Griffn Automotive in Mccalla is a member here and does excellent work at reasonable rates.

I have a 2007 Dodge 3500 dually that I had work done on today.

I had both front end assemblies (AKA wheel bearings), u-joints on both axles, front end aligned, and one other thing that I can't remember at this time worked and replaced.

$1276

On my 02 Duramax I just replaced pitman and idler arm, both inner and outer tie rods, a hub assembly, alignment, and one new tire for $1110 but that was in Guntersville. Place in Auburn quoted me over $2000 and that was without a tire. Tried to charge over $800 labor for a little over 5-6hrs work.

I had all the ball joints done on my 2000 OBS tahoe done for 550. I provided the moog components. The lower ones are press in or I would have done them myself. Did all the steering components (OTR,ITR, center link, pitman, idler, ITR, OTR) for about 300. Ordered off Rock Auto. PITA but much cheaper than paying labor when I can do it myself. Oh and spring for MOOG components, they're more expensive for a reason.

04 Chevy 2500 4x4 diesel had my whole front end done cost me around 2 grand, if I had to do it again I would have bought my own parts and upgraded. Them stock ones just ain't tough enough for them, I've heard a lot of people having issues with them wearing out.

Had my 07 classic 2500HD Duramax done a few weeks ago at a place in Haleyville. I had Pitman arm, idler arm, steering shock, inner and outer tie rod ends and all ball joints and alignment for $1700. It was all Moog parts. I run 305/70/17 and they said that had caused it. It has 181,000 miles on it.

Get it away from firestone and take it to one of the places suggested. I know some techs at Ivan leonard that do good work. Not sure on their labor rate. If you do it yourself call kevin @ westwood auto parts for parts( hoover store)

Call Marcus.

This and buy Moog parts at Rockauto.

Try replacing the front end items on your wife! Talk about expensive.

^^^^That is funny stuff!

Dr. B

Or like DK said, take to Marcus. He seems like a good guy and I plan to use him if I ever have something I don't want to tackle myself.

I just done this on my 04 2500 GMC. Pitman arm, idler arm and bracket, inner and outer tie rod end...Done for about $250 in parts/tools. Luckily, my bearings and a arms were all in good shape. But I do have a good air compressor and impacts.

Ebay can be your friend. ($50 for inner and outer tie rod ends...moog brand new) Bought the pitman arm/idler arm/idler bracket from RockAuto. Be careful though. Some pitman arms are 3 keyed, and some are 4 keyed. Mine was 4 keyed, and RockAuto sent me a 3 keyed. By the way.. I have a new 3 keyed Moog Pitman arm I'd sell you. On the control arms, you can buy complete NEW control arms for about what you would pay to have the joints installed/pressed in with parts.


Do it yourself. This is NOT a hard job...well everything besides the pitman arm. The pitman arm was a pain in the arse. I had to cut mine off. But everything else is a simple bolt on. Measure your old inner/outer tie rod and install the others the same length. Get it aligned.

My Son n law owns Southern Offroad in Pelham.Give him a call.Ask for Scott !

Thanks everyone! Aldeer solves another problem.