# 1991 Miata ball joint replacement **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** miatamx-5, mazda\ **Created:** [September 10, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1991-miata-ball-joint-replacement/67791 "2011-09-10T16:43:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sailor1031](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@sailor1031](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sailor1031)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1991-miata-ball-joint-replacement/67791/1 "2011-09-10T16:43:24Z")
Has anyone a good idea for how much this job should cost at a garage? My wife has an estimate for around $600 parts and another &600 labor. Seems way too much to me given what I see the parts cost online…thanks ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1991-miata-ball-joint-replacement/67791/2 "2011-09-10T17:25:03Z")
Is this an estimate for one side only? I always replace ball joints in pairs (left and right). Ball joints typically run about $100 apiece so your estimate is very high considering they are available at any auto parts store. The estimate of $600 is about right if an alignment is factored in. A front end alignment is necessary once the ball joints are replaced. I would not buy ball joints online. Online is okay for some parts like key fobs or radios but not for suspension parts. I speak from experience. ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1991-miata-ball-joint-replacement/67791/3 "2011-09-10T19:26:30Z")
They must be planning to replace more parts than just ball joints for $600 in parts cost. Maybe some struts or bearings or something else? I paid $14 per ball joint for my Mercedes a few months ago. ([Rockauto.com](http://Rockauto.com))