My XJ8 started pulling pretty hard to the right this year, somewhat suddenly... I don't drive it much in the winter and it was fine last year.

So I took it in for an alignment, though I suspected a ball joint problem I didn't tell the tech (didn't want to "bias" him). He called be back and said he wasn't going to do the alignment because the right front lower ball joint was bad - as I suspected.

Just looking for some opinions from people who have done this job.....

He is quoting me $125 for labor and ~$40 for the ball joint. Though I am pretty handy fixing things on my Jag, I don't have a press, spring compressor, separator tool etc...etc....

So it seems like a no brainer just to pay to have it done, I am wondering if I should just replace the whole lower wishbone that has a new ball joint and bushing(s) or just have only the ball joint replaced or do the joint and the bushing(s).

Is replacing the lower arm a serious amount of work?

Just debating whether I should fool with this myself or just pay the dude to do it.

Thanks...

 

For that price of labor, just have him do it. They can be tricky. One shop quoted me over $600 to replace the lower joint. I had a friend who is a mechanic come over and we replaced all four in my garage. I saved a ton
of money.

 

ron:
If you don't have the stuff you mentioned, either you will before you finish,or you will have paid someone else who does. The $125.00 sounds like an hour of labor, and I seriously doubt he can change the joint in an hour. $40.00 sounds like the ball joint only, not the control arn, and there is a half hour getting the old one out and pressing a new one inafter it is off the car. He must think he knows a way to do the job without removing the control aarm from the car. I would make sure the deal is solid, then have him do it.

 

sparkenzap:

yeah most definitely just the ball joint - just wondering *if* he is taking the arm out if I should just do the bushing(s) also.

From what I read in JTIS $125 seems too good to be true.... I have to presume he is using that book (forgot the name) to figure out how many hours to X job.

For that price, I am scared to ask too many questions.... "never look a gift horse in the mouth". :-)

 

Hi
I do not know how you can get the Lower ball joint replaced for such a low price.

Front lower wishbone std labor hrs is 1.9 hrs each side per ALLDATA.

The lower ball joint is usually sold as part of the front lower wishbone RH rear (JLM21302) and front lower wishbone LH rear (JLM21303). They are $256.75 each at Gaudin Jaguar.

Jagbits sell the lower ball joint assembly as part number MNC1350AA-OE for $79.78 each.

Also mentions "This item is NOT available from any Jaguar dealer, they will only sell the entire control arm which will include this ball joint."

SNG Barratt -USA (located in Vermont) has it for $23.13 aftermarket and for $39.96 OEM.

JLM21380 OEM Lemforder upper ball joint $34.96
CBC5523 Jaguar OEM Upper wishbone bushings $37.00
MNC1350AA# OEM Lemforder Lower ball joint $39.96
MNE1360BB Genuine Jaguar lower wishbone bushings $18.76

Total parts cost for boths side for ball joints and bushings with shipping would be $382.34.

2 upper ball joints, 2 lower ball joints, 4 upper wishbone bushings and 4 lower wishbone bushings. $10.00 shipping.

$306.12 total cost with aftermarket parts from SNG Barrett. Here are the aftermarket part numbers:
MNC1350AA*, CBC5523U, CBC5523*, MNE1360BB*
They are about 50% lower cost than the OEM parts.

Jim Lombardi

 

Does anyone have instructions on how to replace the lower ball joint. I found a site that sells the lower ball joint, but states that it's for EU vehicles only. The dealer sell the joint separately and says that Jaguar doesn't supply directions in its workbook for replacing this joint and to buy the whole control arm. Willing to gamble on just buying the joint if I can actually use it. Any suggestion are appreciated. BTW the lowest price I've found the complete lower arm is at factoryautopartsdirect.com but still more than I want to pay.

 

Does anyone have instructions on how to replace the lower ball joint. I found a site that sells the lower ball joint, but states that it's for EU vehicles only. The dealer does't sell the joint separately and says that Jaguar doesn't supply directions in its workbook for replacing this joint and to buy the whole control arm. Willing to gamble on just buying the joint if I can actually use it. Any suggestion are appreciated. BTW the lowest price I've found the complete lower arm is at factoryautopartsdirect.com but still more than I want to pay.

 

Hi Spdntrixi
You have a 1997 XK8 from what I gathered from your post - on lowest price of the complete lower arm. I know you are new to the forum and it is not a problem that you post is in the XJ X308 forum section. Just that it probably would get more attention and XK expertise in the XK section of the forum, but here goes my suggustions:

Look at post# 63 in the following thread in the XK section:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-joints-5289/

I found that thread by looking through the XK8 & XKR 'HOW TO' / DIY Repair & Maintenance Links / Facts & Data (post# 2) Alpha listing - Suspension:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ts-data-29800/

Also
Here is weblink to the JTIS information on 1997 XK model - (step by step R&I on the Ball Joints):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6x20sn1g0s...per%20JTIS.pdf

For the XJ (X308) model JTIS R&I instructions (27 steps on the removal instructions) and are a little different than the XK (X100 & X150 22 steps) -
Let me know if you want me to post the XJ instructions.

Jim Lombardi

 

I had my entire front end rebuild last summer. New ball joints, new poly bushings etc and my mechanic said it was one of the hardest jobs he ever did as the ball joints need to be grinded out somewhat to get them to press out. Only reason he was willing as I wasn't replacing the arm since I didn't need a new bushing. On yours I would think you're better off replacing the arm for the cost. I think your mechanic hasn't done the job so his quote is quite a bit off reality. Good luck.

 

Ronmexico - ask your mechanic if he has done the job before on the XJ-8. If he has then believe the labor quote. If he has not then either you are going to pay more or he is going to loose money. This is a PITA job and nothing like changing a ball joint that uses a retaining bolt to hold the ball joint

 

So there's nowhere that presses in new ball joints and takes yours in as a core? That's what I was hoping to find, and I am having the same problem right now and I'm going to do a suspension rebuild soon and would rather just replace the whole arm as a unit to reduce downtime.

Like you said, all of a sudden my car developed a shake at speed, a slight pull, and tram-lining got much worse, so I pulled the front wheels off and sure enough one of the ball joints is going.

 

changed my ball joint about 4 months ago like a must job because it failed totally, ride was like rocking

I believed that shop overcharged me for 3 hours of labor for this job plus the part

well,I still have a long list of things to repair, just want to release my steam here,lol

 

Any possibility the tech is talking about the tie rod end?

 

i changed that also as well

 

Thanks Jim. I went ahead and ordered a ball joint and will give it a try. I appreciate the help.