Ok so back in June of 2005 I had my upper ball joints replaced at Midas. The damage: $476.53.

So here is what the invoice says:
Remove and replace control arm: 120 labor
2 Ball Joints Part number 104261: 131.28 each (262.56 together)
Plus alignment: 39.95

So they told me at the time they only used MOOG ball joints (well I looked up the part number and the ball joints are TRW (I've heard they are the same as MOOG). They only place that sells those is Advance Auto (which they are showing a price of 53.99 a markup of 243%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you look up that part is explicitly says :Use with arms that contain replaceable ball joint

Well my driver's side joint is going bad (its binding up everytime it hits a bump and pops like crazy).

Should Midas have replaced that ball joint using the OEM control arm? If they we're not suppose to, could I start a labor claim?

NOTE this was back when I was 19 and less mechanically inclined. Now I know how to properly replace them, so I'm probably gonna buy some new ones and replace instead of trying to get a warranty replacement on the ones installed (lifetime warranty on trw 104261)

So what is your guys opinions?

 

You're questioning a 5 year old work order/invoice?

3rd party repairshops such as Midas need to make money. That's what they're in business for.... God-forbid they make a profit to stay in business.

 

But a 243% markup on parts is a bit retarded though...

 

I'd guess they replaced the whole arm. The balljoints in the factory arms are not removable.

 

I hope so. I'm trying to get a more detailed invoice so I can find out exactly all that they bought for my my truck. The computer guy wasn't there today, one guy said that he was snowed in, another said he was in a nearby town working on a motor. Funny thing is that all the roads are clear. Something smells fishy.

 

If you're going to replace them, I would go ahead and purchase the Moog joints, as I've heard too much about the TRW. Chances are that you won't get them replaced under warranty, as most of the time you have to have proof of purchase. Also, Advance is moving away from TRW and I'm thinking in a few years time you won't be able to get them there.

Side note, I'm presuming my '99 had the stock upper arms on it, and me and my dad pressed the old ones out and new ones in...

 

I was looking at the MOOG uppers w/ the control arms but it appears that they don't have grease fittings. But if you buy the ball joint by itself it does.....Hmmmm

 

Just replace them. Quite frankly $500 from work done 5 years ago shouldn't be worth your time (or anyone's time). More then likely the mechanic that did the work has long since moved on, and nothing would come of it anyway.

Just fix it yourself and know that you did it right and for the right price.

Also, on a side note, the fact that the placed put that markup on the parts shouldn't be shocking. If they can charge that price and have people pay, why not.

 

thats why when i go to the shop I buy my parts ahead of time and take them in. they always mark up. $70 an hour in labor is bad enough, no way I'm paying extra so they can have the parts delivered.

 

they're a business, not a charity

you agreed and paid the price, how can you be mad? nevermind the fact that you did this 5 years ago and you're complaining now.

 

BINGO!!!!

It was a business transaction between you and Midas. You agreed, therefore they performed the work. The price was part of the negotiations/contract.

If you didn't agree with the contract back then, you should have just said no. All you're having right now is "buyers" remorse. Get over it and fix it yourself now that you know how. I just paid about $700 to have my motorcycle fixed and have a new tire put on. I know HOW to do everything I had the shop do... but I didn't have TIME. So to pay $700 instead of doing it myself and spending $175 may sound idiotic, but then again, I didn't wanna have my bike down until next spring. I wanted it fixed asap.

it's a give and take... you didn't know how, so you paid someone who did. Simple as pie.

 

i would replace with motorcraft parts ther better quality and last longer than the moog and trw.

 

Oh thats a good joke. Lets see all four of my OEMs went out around same time at around 50k miles. But the upper TRWs and the lower MOOGS have lasted 100k miles. Ok one last 100k but the other three are fine.

To the other comments, I'm not gonna argue the price because you are right about me agreeing to it. But I just want to make sure that they didn't do something they were suppose to by putting a joint in a control arm that they wasn't suppose to, also just to show others that it may be better to buy the parts yourself.

 

So I was looking around and the only Moog Control Arm Assemblies I can find don't have grease fittings. Seeing as I don't have a press this seems the best option. Has anyone installed the Moog control arms without the grease fittings, if so how long have they lasted.

 

I'd get greaseable ball joints if you can.

 

Always go greaseable and always go Moog, your local parts store should have a press you can borrow. they are quite simple to make too if you are so inclined. all you need is a clamp and something steel thats pretty close to the size of the ball joint.