Replace a damaged ball joint with a new one. Fortunately, the price of a single ball joint is not as high as that of other auto components.
Depending on the car in issue and whether the parts are OEM or aftermarket, a single ball joint can cost anywhere between $40 and $140.
The OEM item is typically the greatest option when it comes to quality, but they can be significantly more expensive. However, a cheap aftermarket ball joint might not be of high quality.
Therefore, while purchasing a ball joint, ensure that the supplier is reputable and/or that the product has a strong track record. A fantastic approach to do this is to check automotive forums and reviews.
It is also important to keep in mind that certain automobiles have ball joints that are more difficult to replace, and others have ball joints that are integrated, necessitating the replacement of the entire control arm.
If so, the overall cost will be more, but the task itself will be simpler because a press is required for the installation of the ball joint.
The price of labor should also be taken into account because it can vary depending on the shop and the area.
Ball joint replacement is a quick process that takes only an hour or so, though it may take longer depending on the car.
In This Article...
Can a ball joint be removed without a tool?
for the lower control arm’s ball joints. Put your jack exactly where the ball joint descends on your axle hub. You can place a piece of wood between the jack and your axle hub. Then gradually lift the hub. The lower portion of the joint should now be able to be separated from the top with a hammer.
Be conscious of where you are hitting at all times. Your ball joint won’t break loose right away, but when it does, you’ll be able to see it and hear it because it will need some time and a variety of angles to do so. Use caution when striking the housing with your hammer.
Following ball joints, do you require alignment?
Simply said, for you to have effective control over your car, the wheels must be routinely aligned. Although it may be called a wheel alignment or tire alignment, an alignment is always done to the wheels of your car.
The purpose of an alignment is to make sure that your car’s wheels are as flat to the ground as possible, that they are directed straight ahead with your steering wheel, and that they turn on the right axis when you steer. All of this is important to guarantee good vehicle control as well as even tire wear.
Camber, caster, and toe are the three factors that the repair specialist will consider when conducting an alignment. Each of these three terms relates to the following:
- When viewing the car from below, the toe is the angle the wheels are pointing. Your car suffers toe alignment troubles if both of your wheels aren’t pointed precisely in the same direction at all times.
- The angle of the wheels when viewed from the front of the vehicle is known as camber. Positive camber is when the top of the wheel is inclined away from the automobile, while negative camber is when the top of the wheel is tilted toward the car. Camber is measured in positive or negative degrees. An extreme example of negative camber may be observed in any image of a “stanced” car.
- When observing the car from the side, the steering axis is angled. Your car’s caster angle should, in theory, be at 0 degrees; otherwise, it will either be more unstable or more difficult to turn.
There are a few indicators that your wheels require alignment:
- Even when you are not using any steering inputs while you are driving, your automobile keeps pushing to one side.
- When your wheels are facing straight forward, your steering wheel is out of center.
- Your tires’ tread wear is inconsistent.
After replacing your ball joints, it’s a good idea to get your alignment checked because driving on damaged ball joints for a long might affect the other parts of your steering and suspension system, which will further affect your alignment.
Are ball joints difficult to replace?
The vehicle should be evaluated as soon as possible if you suspect ball joint wear. Replacement of a ball joint is not simple since they can be difficult to access and install, especially as they get older and rusted. The ball joint is incorporated into the control arm on various automobiles. It is preferable to go to a garage for a professional inspection if you are unfamiliar with the suspension and wheel assembly.
How can I tell if my ball joints need to be repaired?
Four indicators that your car needs new ball joints
- Rattling and clunking sounds.
- Uncertain, erratic steering feeling
- Strong cabin tremors.
- uneven tire wear on the front. One of the front wheels might become misaligned with the other due to “play” caused by a loose ball joint in the front suspension.
Driving when having a fractured ball joint is it safe?
No. Driving while having a damaged ball joint is not advised. Driving on could harm other car parts, and if the joint entirely breaks you could lose control of the car, causing an accident and injuries.
At the Shop
A basic service check at the shop or a yearly state inspection will reveal the majority of damaged ball joints. The specialist “shakes the car’s front end while it’s being lifted Worn portions will move excessively when a tire is slowly rocked from side to side and up and down “play, demonstrating that they are worn.
Symptoms While Driving
A worn ball joint will sound like it is snapping while making a slow, abrupt rotation. Imagine removing the ball from the socket, then releasing it. The same goes for your tires, which may show worn ball joints or other front end parts. Any unequal wear should call for a visit to the shop for an inspection.
Replacement: Urgency, Repair Time & Costs
Repairs shouldn’t be put off because doing so could increase costs because worn-out ball joints will cause uneven tire wear and accelerate the deterioration of other front end components.
Typically, worn ball joints are identified early on, before they pose a danger to your safety, allowing you to plan the repair and weigh your options from nearby auto repair businesses. Ball joints can typically be worked on by most businesses, and turnaround is same day. Generally speaking, ball joints cost between $20 and $80 per unit. By model, labor will vary significantly. Some cars only cost between $60 and $80. Others, particularly trucks with four wheels, can cost between $160 and $200 per ball joint.
Prevention
We can’t really do anything to stop ball joints or any other front-end component from deteriorating.
Some ball joints have grease fittings that allow for the regular addition of fresher, cleaner grease to tighten up crevices and extend the life of the joint, although these fittings are usually found on older model cars. The best plan of action is to keep up with suspension maintenance in order to reduce overall wear.
Are you looking for a nearby technician to complete the inspection or are you confident you can handle the repair yourself? Start with Openbay to compare prices from reputable neighborhood stores, and then book your service with a single click.
A ball joint—can you hammer that in?
On the undercarriage of any vehicle, ball joints, steering knuckles, and control arms accumulate a lot of dirt. It may be challenging to insert the ball pin correctly if the knuckle hole is rusty, distorted, or caked with dirt. A damage cascade may result if you tap the ball joint with a hammer to force it into position. The ball joint’s lamination may swell into the knuckle or distort. In ball joints with metal bearings, the Belleville spring can be crushed by the act of pressing the lamination or housing. The back plate may ding, which will damage the grease fitting’s threading or the grease fitting itself.
Hammer damage will make it difficult to service the ball joint and probably make the part exceedingly difficult to remove when it needs to be replaced again. The good news is that all of these problems may be avoided by fitting a ball joint. Here are 5 techniques for installing a ball joint safely while maintaining its quality.
How are ball joints checked?
It’s time for a visual and physical checkup after examining your ball joints while driving. Make sure you have the following equipment available before you begin:
- Jack postures
- Jack
- Flashlight
- tool for lug nuts
- Blocks made of wood or wheel chocks
- Bar pry
The steps involved in a visual and physical inspection are as follows:
Check your tyre wear
You cannot maintain suspension alignment while driving with loose ball joints. By forcing the rubber tread to hit the ground unevenly, this quickens the wear of tires. You should look into your ball joints further if you see feathering (uneven wear areas on a tire) or toe-out, which is when the front of the wheels point out. However, if the amount of tire wear is the same on both sides, your ball joints most likely aren’t the problem; rather, the underinflated tires are.
Jack up the car and place wheel chocks behind the wheels
Place the front of the automobile on jack stands after raising it up. To stop the car from rolling, place wooden blocks or wheel chocks behind the back wheels. The ball joints can thus be tested more easily as a result.
Rock the tyre on its axis
Holding the tyre’s top and bottom, rock it in and out along the wheel’s vehicle axis. There should be little to no play in this action if the ball joints are functioning properly.
Play and noise coming from above
this suggests that there is an issue with the upper ball joint.
Play and noise coming from the bottom
Thus, an issue with the lower ball joint is suggested.
Remove the wheel
With the wheel off, visually inspect the upper and lower ball joints using a flashlight.
Are there any indications of rust, harm to the dust boot, oil leaking, or any other potential issues? If so, your ball joint needs to be replaced.
Pry the ball joint apart
Try to pry the steering knuckle and lower control arm using the pry bar.
Ball joints that are overly loose make excessive quantities of play, movement, or clicking noises.