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How To Diagnose A Failing Ball Joint

There are several different types of front suspension systems. Regardless if you have a MacPherson Strut system, an upper and lower control arm type, or any other system, they all use a ball joint.

Your car's front suspension is a very complex system. In addition to allowing the front wheels to move up and down, it also allows them to steer left and right. The ball joint plays a crucial role in wheel movement. Read more about what ball joints do in this post. When ball joints are beginning to fail, they begin to display noticeable warning signs.

Signs Of A Failing Ball Joint

worn ball joint

Image Credit: AutoChimps

Ball joints typically last anywhere from 70,000 miles to the life of the vehicle. Their lifespan can be impacted by various external factors such as driving style, road conditions, and road salt. As ball joints wear and become loose, they give off noticeable symptoms:

Car Drifting Left Or Right And Vibrations In The Steering

Failing ball joints can make your vehicle's steering feel sloppy. Over bumps, the steering may drift left or right. It could feel like your car is not maintaining its alignment. In addition, you can also feel vibrations in the steering wheel when driving down smooth roads.

Unusual Noises From Your Front Suspension (Clunking, Creaking, Squeaking)

One of the first indicators of a failing ball joint is a clunking noise that comes from either side of the front suspension. These unusual noises may be more audible when going over dips, bumps, or around a corner. As time goes on, the sounds from the ball joints will become louder and happen more often.

Excessive Tire Wear

If the inner or outer edges of your tires are wearing out faster than the middle, it's likely that worn ball joints are the culprit. If ball joints are causing uneven and excessive tire wear, it would usually be limited to either the inner or outer edge but not both on the same tire. If both edges are wearing down faster than the middle, the most likely cause is under-inflated tires.

What Happens When Your Ball Joint Fails

ball joint

Image Credit: AutoChimps

As mentioned before, ball joints play an essential role in your vehicle's front suspension. If a ball joint completely fails, it could have severe consequences. The ball joint essentially connects the wheel to your vehicle's suspension.

Worn ball joints should not be taken lightly or put off. If a ball joint fails while you are driving, the affected wheel becomes completely or partially disconnected from the suspension and steering. This makes your car inoperable on the spot and would require it to be towed. It could also lead to loss of control. This type of failure only happens while you are driving. So it is best to get ahead of it if you suspect you have a worn ball joint.

Replacing Your Ball Joints

OEM gm ball joints

Ball joints vary in price but are typically under $500 for the part itself. Some vehicles have ball joints integrated into the control arm, which calls for replacing the entire unit when the ball joint is worn. Looking for a ball joint for your GM vehicle? Find an OEM replacement part here

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