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 | Illustrated: Ball Joint |
Ball Joint: A ball joint is a part of a vehicle front suspension. Most cars have one or two ball joints at each front wheel. When a ball joint becomes bad, a vehicle could be unsafe to drive; a ball joint, when badly worn, can disjoin causing the vehicle to lose control unexpectedly.
| One of the possible indication of a bad ball joint could be a knocking noise coming from the front end, particularly while driving over bumps or making sharp turns. If you suspect your vehicle has a bad ball joint or any other suspension component, have your car inspected as soon as you can, it can be unsafe to drive.
Many cars use “lubed for life” ball joints that can’t be lubricated. Replacement ball joints often come with lubrication fittings. If your car has lubrication fittings, the ball joints should be lubricated at every oil change. Ball joints, along with other suspension components, should be inspected annually along with a complete wheel alignment. The most common vehicle symptoms associated with worn ball joints are wandering, uneven tire wear, and erratic steering. Ball joint inspection methods and specifications vary, so have your vehicle inspected by a qualified service professional. | |
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