Ball joints are an integral part of your car’s suspension system. The ball joints provide the connection between the steering knuckles and the control arms, which allows your tires to roll smoothly along any type of road.
Additionally, the ball joints help provide you with effective control of your car, as well as providing you with stable driving conditions. With constant pressure being placed on them due to everyday driving, the ball joints may eventually begin to fail. By recognizing some of the first warning signs that indicate that there is a problem with the ball joints, you may be able to save yourself a great deal of money in repair costs, and continue to safely drive your vehicle.
Unusual Clunking Noises From the Suspension
The first indication that your vehicle’s ball joints are beginning to wear out will be a “clunking” sound coming from the front end of the car. It is possible you will hear this noise as you drive through potholes or go over speed bumps. The reason for the noise is due to a worn joint having too much play. That allows the suspension components to make contact with each other and produce an audible noise.
Over time, the noise will likely increase in volume and frequency, especially while driving on uneven surfaces and making slow turns. As the noise continues to occur, TRUE AUTO REPAIR should be able to check your vehicle’s suspension system and determine where the issue lies prior to additional problems occurring.
Loose Steering and Poor Vehicle Control
Worn ball joints can cause problems with how your car will respond to steering input. One thing you will notice is that there is too much free movement in the steering system (i.e. you have to turn the steering wheel farther than normal) when attempting to keep the car going straight down the road. Another symptom is that you do not feel as precise as you would like with the steering wheel.
Uneven Tyre Wear and Alignment Problems
You may find that your car pulls to one side when driving. There are many reasons for poor alignment, thus replacing ball joints should be done after an in-depth review. A professional mechanic from Auto Repair in Birdsboro, PA can assess your suspension components and determine if the worn joint(s) is/are contributing to alignment issues or causing premature tire damage.
When Should You Replace Worn Ball Joints?
Ball joints need to be replaced if an inspection determines that they have excessive “play” or are worn too much. It is impossible for all vehicles to use the same replacement schedule. TRUE AUTO REPAIR can determine whether the ball joints are in good shape and help determine which type of repair would work best.
