Kingpins need doing, just the bearings needed or kingpins too??

My brother bought a jimny a couple of days back which I'm helping him sort out. It went in to the garage today to have the clutch cable done and whilst it was there they looked into a possible worn wheel bearing.

Prior to it going in I had a peak underneath and saw this which is identical to the issue on my own jimny which I'm about to sort out!


Anyway, the garage stated on their quote:

"offside front lower kingpin worn out and ball seal leaking oil. Cost to replace offside front upper and lower kingpin assemblies with bearings also replacing oil seal £402 inc vat"

Now this seems v pricey to me for only one side considering martin sells the kingpin bearings/seal for £24 a side!

What I'm not sure is whether the garage are saying the actual kingpins need replacing too as I gather these are another £36 or so each side?

How can I tell whether the kingpins need doing too? My mechanically proficient friend is going to replace my kingpins for me but he's not sure of the labour time or how much to charge. What would a garage normally quote labour only to do both sides?

They can't say the king pins themselves need replacing unless they have stripped them out and measured for wear, just get the bearings done and new inner seals. The outer seal is just a crud guard so if it's in on condition it can be reused. A competent garage should be able to do both sides in a couple of hours.

Sounds like a stealer quote to me...........they recommend replacing the whole lot which in most cases is unnecessary.

Mates rates £50 a side

i can do them in 45 mins a side thats just changing the bearings and half shaft seal and not giving it a good clean a proper job inc cleaning out the cv joint changing the big dust seal diff oil change etc about 1hour 15 mins

markyp2000 wrote: Mates rates £50 a side

i can do them in 45 mins a side thats just changing the bearings and half shaft seal and not giving it a good clean a proper job inc cleaning out the cv joint changing the big dust seal diff oil change etc about 1hour 15 mins

Thanks for the replies gents, superbly helpful as usual!

Whereabouts are you based Mark?? May have to bring both to you ha!

Pembury at the mo but in the proces of moving cant do any thing for a few weeks