Hi, I had an advisory on my MOT that my O/S/F lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover is split so should be replaced. I have a couple of questions I hope you might be able to help me with;

Is this something that should really be done in pairs? Should I do both sides at the same time or is it OK to just replace the one that is fubar'd?

After replacing the suspension arm is it necessary to have a wheel alignment done?

If a wheel alignment should be done would this be the case only if both sides were replaced at the same time or would it need to be done even if only one is replaced?

As always thanks for your help.

I had the same issue a few weeks back. I only changed one as there was very little wear in the ball joint itself. After fitting my steering wheel was slightly off centre so had it tracked as a matter of course. It wasn’t that far off to be honest but they corrected the wheel back to centre. Down to personal choice in my opinion but I’m happy with just doing one. 2016 4.4 diesel

did you use genuine parts? The garage I usually use only fit genuine parts and I have been quoted £366.26 to do just the one side, does that sound reasonable? I know it is something that I could probably do myself but having recently had substantial surgery to my shoulder I doubt I could manage it 1 handed!

There is atube video on someone replacing their front lower control arms and it doesn't look that bad a job if you can get past the high torque bolts on tight areas. It took him half a day so with dealer labour I'd recon under £400 fitted has to be a bargain.

I bought mine from advanced factors. Then did it myself. It only took me a hour and a half that’s doing it on the driveway,so with access to a ramp or pit should only take about a hour to do one side
If your garage is using genuine parts seems like a good price 2016 4.4 diesel

Thanks guys, I feel better about not being able to do it myself at the moment and reassured that I am being quoted a reasonable price.