need help with my van

[Fay Kelley]

>Kent McLean wrote:
>>Mark Rosenkrantz wrote:
>>>(And Al is correct... if you don't have a clue what a harmonic balancer is,
>>>I'd be leary about tackling anything serious like ball joints.  If they
>>>fail, you can die.)
>
>I dunno. if you don't know what a harmonic balancer is, does that make you incompetent to install new ball joints?

thank you and blessings to you

both of us had never had a harmonic balancer
go back before, he has done axel replacement,
CJ joints, idler arms,

I just did not want him to get
hurt

friend said that the local parts store should
rent the tools

>Also, I suspect the shop concerned just wants to make money.
>
>That leads to the question, does hubby know how to test ball joints?


we are going to take to different shop for opinion today

>>What they said.  But, if he's competent with a wrench, consider buying
>>the Haynes manual for it ($15-20 bucks at the FLAPS), then read the
>>procedure. If it makes sense, if you have all the tools (including
>>torque wrenches, etc.), and if he feels he can handle it, then I'd say
>>go for it.  You'll still need an alignment afterwards, and you can have
>>the alignment mechanic check his work if you are really concerned.

good idea !

thanks !

I drive back and forth to Sedona and there are places in the road
with NO guard rails and drop of a thousand feet, and sometimes
people drive over the center line (just two lanes total), SO i
do want to be sure I am okay

Just cannot afford $950 for front end work, not including idler
arms, which we just replaced one.

Will give update and thanks to all who wrote with good advice.

-- 
Cheers,  Fay

"Life is Good !"