Ball joint prices?

[EricB]

I've got a set of the shortened Nissan Comp steering knuckles which I've been meaning to put it. At the same time I figured it would be a good idea to change the ball joints too, so I went to Nissan to ask about pricing and availability.... $120ish EACH ball joint?!?!?!?!?!?! Is this a joke?

I remember ball joints costing in the $30 range from my Honda days, so how can Nissan expect to charge an extra $100 for basically the same part?

Advice? Different source to get them from? Any advice would be appreciated...

-e

[hmsports]

MSA (800) 633-6331 has them for $34.95 including the boot.

Call your local auto-supply house and see what they can do for you too.

I know I'll get blasted for recommending Victoria British, but they have ball joints for $24.95 (800) 255-0088

[ozlime240z]

Originally posted by hmsports

I know I'll get blasted for recommending Victoria British, but they have ball joints for $24.95 (800) 255-0088

What's wrong with VB?

[hmsports]

Well, for computer geeks like me, VB (Visual Basic) is bad because it is a Microsoft product :classic:

But for Z guys, well at least some purists, the parts may not be up to par. Most, if not all, are aftermarket parts. I've seen complaints about their rubber seal kits. I have had good luck with them though -- and their prices usually beat MSA.

Except it is wise to compare with MSA since they do offer a 10% discount for members of Z clubs. I usually order about 1/2 of my stuff from each -- although some of what I get comes from the local auto-parts store (not AutoZone or Napa), the locally owned store -- I always check them first.

[2ManyZs]

FWIW, I have always bought my tie rod ends, ball joints, alternators, starters, and brake master cylinders from the local Advance Auto stores. They have never failed me and the prices are reasonable and the quality is just as good as most anywhere else. I would imagine that AutoZone would be nearly equal, but up until a couple years ago, Advance was all we had locally besides the little NAPA store that had to order nearly everything, when the Advance store usually had them in stock.

[kmack]

Rick is correct, the ball joints from VB are aftermarket. As for MSA's $34.95 price, That is what I thought the price was earlier this year when I was looking for mine. But MSA said they no longer could get them at that price and was only ordering Nissan replacements @ about $52/ea. Victoria British got my business...

[mperdue]

Watch out for AUtozone. I ordered ball joints from them and they weren't even the same brand even they had the same part number. So I didn't buy them and went for VB. I had a little trouble w/ them too - I bought the tir rod end nuts (one's LH and the other is RH) and these weren't the same either - one was much bigger the other. Kind of a pain I'd like them to match... I'll probably buy another pair somewhere else or hope I cna find one to match one i have

[Datzun76]

I know what you mean about the overpricing. I found a parts shop locally that had new ones for $29. Replaced them about two years ago and no problems.