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encryptor


Registered: 05/15/03
Posts: 1,157
Last seen: 12 days, 10 hours
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Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints
#23717306 - 10/07/16 06:37 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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This week I took off 2 days off work to install new upper control arms and upper ball joints. I bought Moog greaseable ball joints that were pressed into the control arms. Then I brought my truck into an auto repair shop for an alignment. I was told the lower ball joints needed to be replaced and so I let them do it. I believe they were shot as the truck has 134000 miles. I noticed at the shop 1 greaseable ball joint and commented on that. The work order guy said they only use greaseable ball joints. Then when I got home I noticed the other ball joint wasn't greaseable, so now 3 of 4 ball joints are greaseable. that really ticks me off that they didn't install a matching pair, greaseable or non-greaseable. so what will happen is I keep greasing for 100,000 and I have to deal with 1 bad ball joint. i'm going to politely but confidently calling tomorrow.
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azur
God of Fuck



Registered: 04/21/12
Posts: 28,103
Loc: Daid
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23717309 - 10/07/16 06:39 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Maybe they just didn't put the zero fitting (grease nipple) in?
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encryptor


Registered: 05/15/03
Posts: 1,157
Last seen: 12 days, 10 hours
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: azur]
#23717390 - 10/07/16 07:03 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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i checked and it has a flat cap on it, so it isn't greaseable. I think you meant zerk fitting.
Edited by encryptor (10/07/16 07:05 PM)
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azur
God of Fuck



Registered: 04/21/12
Posts: 28,103
Loc: Daid
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23717479 - 10/07/16 07:28 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Yes. Zerk. Autocorrect
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The5thElement
Smile Friends :)



Registered: 07/01/12
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: azur]
#23717502 - 10/07/16 07:33 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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how much did they balljoints cost? I got quoted one time and it was gonna cost me something like 700$ or something. Long story short fuck mechanics man, it's really hard to find one that's not totally fucking you.
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luvdemboomers
loner with a boner
Registered: 01/11/13
Posts: 5,054
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: The5thElement]
#23717547 - 10/07/16 07:44 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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I could be wrong but I'm not sure it really matters if they are greasable or not as long as they are of good quality. A lot of cars come from the factory w/o zerks and last a long time. But yeah, I'd still expect a matching pair unless otherwise specified when paying a pro to do it. Did they give you an itemized bill with the parts used and prices for them on it? If not maybe you could start by asking for one.
Edited by luvdemboomers (10/07/16 07:45 PM)
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encryptor


Registered: 05/15/03
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Last seen: 12 days, 10 hours
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: luvdemboomers]
#23718086 - 10/07/16 11:07 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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functionally these ball joints are the same until later in in life when 1 will wear and 3 won't because greaseable means they can last forever. It was a poor decision on the mechanic and not communicated to me before installing mismatched ball joints. I paid $45 for each ball joint and 180 for the install. the ball joints are listed as the the same item x 2.
Edited by encryptor (10/07/16 11:09 PM)
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
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Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23718099 - 10/07/16 11:10 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
encryptor said: functionally these ball joints are the same until later in in life when 1 will wear and 3 won't because greaseable means they can last forever. It was a poor decision on the mechanic and not communicated to me before installing mismatched ball joints. I paid $45 for each ball joint and 180 for the install. the ball joints are listed as the the same item x 2.
that's pretty cheap. still no excuse for not putting the right parts in from the start
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23718113 - 10/07/16 11:15 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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that is pretty damned cheap.
well if you have an itemized list, check to see if you can find a part number on the ball joint (kinda unlikely) but if you do and it doesnt match the part number on the repair order, then have them fix it on their dime.
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encryptor


Registered: 05/15/03
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: rackem]
#23718155 - 10/07/16 11:37 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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there is a part number, I doubt I can verify it on the ball joints themselves, but they'd definitely be different part number for greaseable and non-greaseable. i mean I went thru a lot of effort making sure I had the correct upper ball joints. Why couldn't they do the same? Lazy or someone made the poor decision to install without caring about the customer they are serving. I think at this point they should refund me an hour of labor for the install because if I let them replace it I'll need to 1) wait 2) be concern how much they are stressing my upper ball joint 3) be concerned that they don't give a fuck now and do a shitty re-alignment.
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23718192 - 10/07/16 11:58 PM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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i would try to make the distinction on the part number and go from there man.
the shop would have to honor it. and its not necessarily the mechanics fault. i have seen parts incorrectly boxed before yeah, he should have noticed it but shit happens.
just because you took it back, doesnt mean they will have ass it.. and dont worry about the stress of the press on the arm... thats a non issue.
if you do go the refund route, which i would suggest against doing, its done... and it wont be the same until you come out of pocket again...
if you can not get a distinct part number on the non greasable joint take it back and show the service writer your concerns.
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encryptor


Registered: 05/15/03
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Last seen: 12 days, 10 hours
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: rackem]
#23718300 - 10/08/16 01:12 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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you're right, i'll see if I can find the part number on the non greaseable ball joint. then I'll look at the greaseable ball joint. it's always something at an auto shop.. I'm more concerned about the stress they put on my upper ball joint if they don't support the knuckle.. i know it's new but good grief!
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: Had Mechanic Install Lower Ball Joints [Re: encryptor]
#23718313 - 10/08/16 01:31 AM (7 years, 4 months ago) |
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it will be fine man... that shouldnt really be on the top end of the worry list when having that job done man.
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