Ford Repair: upper ball joints/ control arm, ford explorer sport, upper ball joints

Question
Hello Erik,

I recently got new tires on my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 and while they were checking my alignment the one guy there told me that I would need to replace my upper ball joints that there are loose especially the one on the left (drivers) side. I drive my Explorer about 250 miles a week I currently have about 58,000 miles on it. Some of the roads I drive on are very rough with potholes he told me that could be the reason they are loose. He gave me an estimate of $800 bucks. I just want to know if that's a good price or if I should get another opinion. And if they are bad if it's easy enough to get someone I know to do it to save some money on labor.


Answer
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
 My Labor Time Guide lists out the replacement of the ball joints as 5.3 Hrs for one on each side of the vehicle. Then after that the vehicle would need to be aligned. So 5.3 x shop labor + cost of parts = ?
I would think that this is with in the ball park.
Hope this helps,
Erik