Ball joints

I went to replace mine Sat. and could hardly get the spinde off the I-beam! Spent hours screwing with that and even with a vise, the joints resisted coming out of the spindle. I put the truck back together with the old stuff, and went to an autocare center I frequuent. My mechanice set it in the lift, and I pulled it apart, he would come over when I needed extra force with rusted parts. I basically stripped down the front end, we popped the old out, the new in, and I reassembled everything. He charged me $100.00. for what's normally a $300.-500. job.

When I thanked him, he said "Well, you did all the work!" BW, the owner came through about 6-8 times and watched me work, and asked on eof th eother mechanics what's up, He said "He works here too sometimes." The owner shook his head and said he couldn't even remember my name, and wasn't even sure I was on payroll. :) Took 2-1/2 hours in a good shop with the right tools, namely the lift and the ability to get needed leverage by having the vehicle on the lift.

Thanks Rocky! :) I need help keeping those pesky Yankees away some days! :laugh:

Hey buddy, axle off. Or my grease monkey friend will give you a flat tire. :P B)

BTW, I can't make it anytime soon to do an axle though. Here's a tip. Take an extra lugnut and weld a 2-3'x 1" rod onto it. When pulling or installing an axle, run that rod onto a lug and use it as a handle to manuever the axle.

I figured you were Rocky.

We never discussed price. I said I needed it done, I'd do the work and he could bill me. We never discussed price until he handed me the bill after inspecting my job. :)

Just riding you a little bit, you grease monkey. We'd all be lying if we said we dont' or haven't done that.

By the way, I nedd axle replaced, can you come down and help and old roofer?

I've worked in body shops and auto service shops along with roofing and general construction all my life. I've built and installed cabinets, and can do trim work, etc. There isn't much I can't handle in my own shop.

You're right Rocky. But, and no excuse, I don't charge him or them when I drop in on a rainy day and help out for a few hours either. Kind of like paying it forward. :)

I think the biggest issue here Tinner, is that you have an old buddy that helped you out. You should go buy him a happy meal. It's nice to have someone you can call upon in situations like that. On the other hand you have taken money out of the pocket of the owner who has invested lot's of money in his tools, lift, employees, insurance both liability of someone who shouldn't be there and workmans comp and property. I have seen many posts on here condemning such actions. But it's nice to have friends.

It money ever quits being such an issue, I'll have a shop with a lift. My aircompressor isn't large enough to really run large air wrenches, etc. But, like I said in the first sentence, we'll see. :)