How much is a fair price (parts plus labor) for a ball joint
replacement (left and right) on a 1992 Honda Civic?

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Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 19 Oct 2002 04:22 PDT

Hi bocksolibra...

This would depend on what 
country/state/city you are
planning on having the service
done in.

Here in Southern California,
if they would tell me 2 hrs
at $65/hr... I probably wouldn't
blink. That would be the typical
rate for autowork done around
here on typical vehicles.

The Ball Joints. The price here
would differ based on source of
the parts. Honda original parts
would likely be the most expensive,
near or over $100 is possible for
the left and right sides.

If a non-original part is ok,
you can try AutoZone. Looking
up your car, it seems the lower
ball joint is $34.99. Left and
right were not specified. Same
for both sides? $70 + tax.
[ http://www.alienintelligence.com/ga/76911/AutoZone_92HondaBallJoint.gif ]

Since estimates vary from place
to place, I would say a good
ballpark for the SoCal area would 
be $170 (low) from a "typical small
garage" up to $230 for a Honda
dealership. 

All that said, on a 92 Honda...
I'd buy those ball joints from 
AutoZone, borrow the tools you
need for it from AutoZone too
and pop those on in my driveway.
$70 & tax + some grease + 2 to 3 
hrs labor = feeling of satisfaction.

-AI

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Clarification of Question by bocksolibra-ga on 31 Oct 2002 19:02 PST

Sorry for the delay.  I am in Philadelphia.  You can go ahead and
submit this stuff as an answer and claim the cash if you want. 
Thanks.

I have a 1988 Honda Accord LXI and my left rear ball joint broke about
ayear and a half ago while I was driving.  Luckily, I was going slow
so there was no damage to the car or tire.

Including the towing charge, a used ball joint and labor, I paid $125.
 The mechanic said that ball joints seldom break and a used one would
do just fine.  He checked the others on my car and reported they all
looked great.  I live in the rural South of the USA.

Hope this helps.