Suspension Check Results

[99RedGs]

Background: So I took my car to PepBoys to have them do a suspension inspection ($20). I am currently out of state on an internship and don't have tools with me to perform one myself. Basically my car has been making a horrible screeching noise from the drivers side when I turn the wheel (I thought ball joints right away), as well as a loud clunk noise from the passenger side when I hit bumps so I thought I would have them diagnose it and then fix it myself.

Issue: I received a call from them and they say basically all of my ball joints are dry rotted and I need to replace them all. I thought this was odd because I replaced the lower later arms about 2 years ago, and none of the boots look like they have holes in them (they are cracked a little). They quoted me about $1800 to replace all arms... Thats more than this POS is worth

Question:

1) What is the best way for me to verify that they arent bullshitting me? I understand the noise is happening because a part is getting old, but ALL of them bad?
- Best way to check the suspension components?

2) If I was to buy new components do you guys think I can do this with a basic tool set?
-I.E) I bought a jack and I have a 300piece Craftsman tool set down here with me

3) Other thoughts?

 

[97gst_spyder]

Yes, you can replace all the suspension arms with standard tools, I've done it twice now, two separate chassis's.

If the boots are all good and not ripped then the ball joint is MOST likely still ok. They can get too much play and still have good boots but if your taking everything apart to check you might as well replace them.

 

[gho5tone]

Yes standard tools are fine, rent a torque wrench if you want to but most definitely get pb blasters to soak them bolts.

One more thing, get jack stands if you're going to go under the car.

 

[99RedGs]

Yes, you can replace all the suspension arms with standard tools, I've done it twice now, two separate chassis's.

If the boots are all good and not ripped then the ball joint is MOST likely still ok. They can get too much play and still have good boots but if your taking everything apart to check you might as well replace them.

I just dont have a lot of free time so I was basically hoping they could find the issue and tell me what needs to be fixed, then I would fix it myself. I don't really want to replace all of the arms if I don't have to you know what I mean? Im just trying to keep this car going until I graduate in December so pumping money into it wouldn't be a great idea. When I inspected it myself it sounded almost like it was coming from the strut, but it was really hard to tell the direction of the sound from inside the wheel well...