I think they are screwing you. In theory, there are only so many things that can cause death wobble. Even if you replace all of those parts, you might not get to that price (ball joints, drag link, track bar, tie rod, control arms). Some folks have run into issues with really large tires with broken steering boxes and sector shafts breaking.

If you know how to look, it is pretty easy to check all of the tie rod ends and ball joints. ******* has a 2 part youtube video where he shows you exactly how to check the tie rod ends and ball joints. I suggest you start there.

 

yeah with the 40's, that's a lot of meat working those joints. Since you're running that large of a tire, you might want to look at something like the Dynatrac heavy-duty ProSteer Ball Joints. They're definitely much beefier than the stockers.

I can't remember how much they run but the good thing is once they're installed, they can still be rebuilt. If you got the right tools, it's not too hard to press them in.

Also with that size tire, if you haven't already, you might want to look into upgrading the control arms and/or trackbar that may have regular bushings (like the stockers) to some that have the johnny joints built in. I think pretty much all the main guys have them like Currie, Clayton, EVO, etc. Those are simple bolt-ons so if you've got the tools (breaker bar, ratchets, sockets, torque wrench, etc.) you're just paying for parts if it comes to that.

Having said that, I would definitely start with the bolt upgrade kit like these other guys mentioned and assess things after that:
http://www.northridge4x4.com/shop/nr...k-hardware-kit

 

$2400 is far too much. Dynatrac Prosteer ball joints are about $600, and that is the most costly thing mentioned. As someone else suggested, come back here with an itemized quote and you will get better advice.

 

In the near future, my Diagnosing Death Wobble write-up thread should be reinstated.

Here are the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uQwlmlhiF4&list=UUKzIyplv3FIj1EXoFsRG0qg&index=5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii81V7XYr-k&list=UUKzIyplv3FIj1EXoFsRG0qg

 

Yup well seems like I got fked. There's the invoice guys. The owner of the shop obviously has a problem with him driving his jeep and me driving mine.

 

Which ball joints did he get for you? I got all 4 synergy's for 220 plus shipping and I think they are cheaper now. I can understand why they charged so much for labor. Ball joints took me and 2 buddies like 6 hours (with breaks and lunch) to swap.

Josh

 

I am not exactly sure what they rebuilt so I can;t comment on that. The ball joint replacment seems strange from how they charged you. Unless they used Prosteers, they way overcharged you on parts. You can get stock ball joints for about $100 total (both sides) and upgrading to better ones other than Prosteers will run you about $200 to $250 max.

The labor to install ball joints is where it can get expensive. I can't remember what I was quoted for "book time" on an install (book time meaning how most mechanics will estimate the cost of service) but I want to say it's probably in the 4 to 6 hour range. At say a $100 an hour, the labor cost would be $400 to $600 on average. So you paid about $170 too much for the ball joints but paid anywhere from $25 to $225 too little for labor. So in the end, the ball joint cost is not bad and you did not get screwed.

The other service...what did they do? What did they rebuild? If they changed a bolt for the track bar, it's a $2 bolt and 5 minutes time. Rebuilding joints can get expensive but not sure what joints they rebuilt. OEM control arms can't be rebuilt and repalcing them is super cheap anyway. Did they rebuild aftermarket control arms that you already have? If they had to rebuild the joint ends and maybe the mounts (which require welding) then I can see the $600 labor cost.

Can you explain exactly what they did?

 

Synergy (Poly Performance) ball joints are now $200 shipped--that includes all 4.

 

I saw $300 for tire balance?!?! WTF?! Got mine for $80 for life of the tire.

 

Wow! You got soaked buddy. He made his whole week off you. That's why I do my own wrenching.