How to Check Your Ball Joints
GeneralAutoRepair
This ball joint test quickly finds any problems with your ball joints. You may even find other problems around the suspension area with this quick test. A bad balljoint may result in a steering wheel the vibrates when driven at highway speeds or when braking.
1. Leave vehicle on ground so that all of its weight is on the suspension.
2. Have a partner sit in the drivers seat and leave the vehicle on. This will make turning the steering wheel much easier.
3. Have him jerk the steering wheel quickly to the right and left while you look under the vehicle with a flashlight for any movement on the suspension area.
4. If the ball joint is moving visibly then replacement is needed. Take note of any other suspension movements that may need replacement.
In an automotive vehicle the ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the control arms to the steering knuckles. A ball joint is a steel bearing stud and socket enclosed in a steel casing. Usually the bearing stud is tapered and threaded. It fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A protective encasing prevents dirt from getting into the joint assembly. An internal spring is utilized to control the motion of the ball joint, which helps to prevent vibration problems in the linkage. Commonly found in automotive throttle linkages and throttle body set ups, ball joints can also be found in construction equipment and on the end of gas springs.
Sealed ball joints are "lubed for life" and do not require maintenance but standard ball joints must be lubed from time to time. It's best to inspect standard ball joints once a year. Generally speaking, standard ball joints will outlive sealed ones because eventually the seal will break, causing the joint to dry out and rust. While there is no exact lifespan that can be put on a sealed ball joint, they can fail as early as 80,000 miles. Signs of a failing ball joint start with a clicking or snapping sound when the wheel is turned and eventually turns into a squeaking sound at the end of a stop, when the gas pedal is used and/or also when hitting bumps. Another symptom could be 'thud' noises coming from front suspension when going over bumps.
If a ball joint fails, the results can be dangerous as the wheel's angle will be unconstrained, causing loss of control. Because the tire will be at an unintended angle, the vehicle will come to an abrupt halt damaging the tires. Also, during failure, debris can damage other parts of the vehicle.
Wikipedia:Ball Joints
General Automotive Repair
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