2006 Range Rover sport. Before I can have the wheel tracking carried out, I have to arrange for the two front wheel ball joints to be replaced. Can I expect this to be an expensive job? I have to get a quote in France to have the work done, so it might be the best idea to have some idea of the approx. cost in the UK. Andrew Kennedy

Assuming you mean track rod ends, they do vary in price from £15.00 each for Meyle pattern parts up to around £150.00 for genuine L/R ones in a pretty box. If they are not seized to much on the track rod probably around hours work at most to change both. Might need to check to see if they are 12 or 14mm threads as well.

Cheers
Col

Thanks for yours Col. I wasn't sure how to describe the part, but I would say they are track rod ends. It is the ball joint just behind the wheel hub - the joint that takes all the vertical pressure when going over holes in the road. Andrew Kennedy

Not sure now if you may mean top and bottom swivel ball joints, as opposed to track rod ends as wouldn't describe them as taking much vertical pressure, might be more of a help if you could post a picture of the item in question.

Cheers
Col

All the tracking rods have all been replaced recently, the garage wasn't able to do the wheel tracking, as I am sure, now having read your posting, its the top and bottom swivel ball joints that have to be changed. I am on holiday in Spain at the moment so taking pictures is a bit of a problem. If it is as suspected the swivel ball joints, it that a lengthy and expensive job? Andrew Kennedy

I think I would check the state of the top and bottom arm bushes first to see if they needed replacing as well, if so I would consider replacing the complete arms, might be a little more expensive to buy, but would be a far easier job, if the bushes do need doing as would need to remove arms anyway to replace the bushes. Advance Factors do the Meyle lower arms as a complete kit with all the nuts, bolts etc. you would need, but might need to check if they do a upper arm kit's or all individual parts, of course you could always go for cheap crap of fleabay which will probably last as long as it takes to fit it

Cheers
Col

Thanks Coll!! That's that's all I need to know - so I'll take it into the garage on my return home. Worst case sicario, any idea what I am looking at cost-wise (using Land Rover parts) if I were to have it done in UK Andrew Kennedy

I personally don't think it is necessary to use genuine L/R parts on an 18 year old vehicle, in addition genuine parts would be ridiculously expensive, as I said previous Advance Factors do complete kit's for upper and lower arms if needed with a 4 years warranty, I used the Meyle lower arm kit previous and they were absolutely fine, top quality and fit with no issues then or now.

I'm sure if you drop A/F a email they will give you a total price for for both kit's if required, as they have shipped parts to me here in NZ I'm sure they would be able to give you a shipping cost to France as well if needed.

Cost parts wise I would think you are looking at between 750-800 euros, labour wise I think it would depend on how badly the bolts etc. were seized, as I am sure on a vehicle of that age they will be, it took me around 4 hours to do my lower ones and only one bolt was partially seized, but then again it was at my leisure in my garage at floor level, would also need 4 wheel alignment afterwards.

Cheers
Col