Typical Symptoms of FAULTY Ball Joints

Your car's suspension system is in charge of maintaining a comfortable and smooth driving experience, and you'll be able to tell when something is wrong. It may be time to have the ball joints serviced if your ride has become a bit too bumpy. Search for car garages in Reading and book an appointment now to find out more.

What are ball joints?

Ball joints attach the wheel hub to the suspension system's control arms by enclosing a ball inside a casing. This joint enables the wheels of your vehicle to move in a number of directions, including steering turns to the left and right. When you encounter bumps in the roads, these joints also allow your wheel hub to swivel up and down on the ends of the control arms. You do not, however, give up any of the stability or strength required to hold your wheels on your car because the ball is totally enclosed. These ball joints are flexible enough to move as much as required without experiencing undue wear or strain. Your ball joints will begin to wear out over time, just like any other component of your car. Search for MOT history to see if ball joints have been a previous problem with your vehicle.

Why do they begin to wear out?

Ball joints move easily in their casings when they are first installed in a car because they are greased to keep everything functioning properly. No dirt or oil may enter or exit the case since it is tightly sealed, the system is spotless, and the ball joint system is securely enclosed. However, because roads are unclean and rugged, this system gradually degrades.  Dirt and grit can enter your ball joints as you drive more, beginning to wear out the interior components of the joint. Seals may fracture and deteriorate with time, enabling oil to leak out and degreasing your ball joints.

What are the signs of bad ball joints?

Extreme Vibrations

An excessive amount of suspension-related vibration is a sign of faulty ball joints. When a vehicle is moving, worn ball joints will vibrate excessively and be loose in their sockets. Usually, the right or left side of the car will experience the vibration, coming from the ball joint in question. Sometimes the vibration can even be felt through the steering wheel. Search for garages in Reading and book an appointment now with a qualified mechanic.

Clunking Noises

One of the most common signs of a suspension ball joint issue is clanking noises coming from the front suspension of the car. The suspension squeaks and rattles as the vehicle travels up and down the road because of worn-out ball joints that become loose in their sockets. A worn ball joint may knock or clunk when navigating turns, speed bumps, or bumpy highways. Over time, as the ball joints deteriorate or until they completely fail and break, the clunking typically gets louder.

Inconsistencies in Steering

When your steering feels stiff or the steering wheel is too loose, you can detect if your ball joints are damaged while you're driving. Another sign is unintentionally drifting when passing through speed bumps, as well as having trouble navigating parking spaces or tight turns.

Uneven Tyre Wear

You can notice uneven tyre wear as a result of the imbalance since damaged ball joints can cause the car to become out of alignment. Uneven tyre tread is visible as irregular, narrower tread stripes on each tyre. When using a tyre gauge, you might detect a visible difference or shifting depths. Search for car repairs near me and book an appointment

What Damages Ball Joints?

If grease leaks from ball joints or if dirt, grit, or other impurities get inside and prevent lubrication, the ball joints will deteriorate. To make matters worse, these suspension parts are also harmed by rust and normal wear and tear.