tire carrier issue and maintenance advise

[pauldy]

Looking for some advise on what to fix first. I have air bags that I've been told are cracked and leaking though I'm not seeing anything. And I 've been told my ball joints are going out.

The cost for the ball joints was 500 a piece with 300 labor to install them but I've seen them on ebay for 30-100 bucks each, is the dealer trying to corn hold me here? The airbags they are quoting me 600 installed which seem more reasonable. I also have an SMA tire carrier for my '03 and it has become very tough to open does anyone know what I need to do to fix this?

[slippy]

i replaced mine with moog balljoints from a parts website for about 40 bucks a piece. i remember it was pricey to get them installed tho.

the thing about balljoints is even if you look for ways to cut cost local shops are gonng get ya for it, but at least balljoints dont need to be replaced often.

i dont have a tire carrier but i believe it has a cert for grease? someone else can confirm this tho.
if it has one just buy a grease gun and do it in 10 minutes. or next time you need work on your truck, just ask them to do it complimentary. i get my certs greased all the time by shops and iv never paid for it.

[pauldy]

I got the gun and hit it three times, then took it in to have it degreased, helped but still seems to take significant effort to move now. I think this weekend I'm just going to remove it and see what I can find.