Your vehicle's front suspension is a very outstanding device. The front suspension, which is made up of a complex assembly of control links and wheel hubs, allows your front wheels to move up and down independently of one another for a smooth ride. In addition, it also allows both wheels to turn left or right together, so you can get your vehicle where you need to go.

Although there are many different types of front suspensions, such as upper and lower control arms and MacPherson struts, they all have one thing in common: the ball joint. When a ball joint fails, it can be quite dangerous. Look here for some of the most common signs that your ball joints and bushings need to be replaced!

Independent Front Suspension Basics

A front suspension system that uses upper and lower control arms to attach the wheel hub to your vehicle, or a MacPherson strut and one control arm, is standard on today's vehicles. The wheel hubs, on which your wheels and tires are fastened, are attached to the outside ends of each control arm and stay relatively upright when the control arms swing up and down. Your steering system is also connected to the hubs, which must be able to swivel left and right at any moment throughout their up and down movement.

The crucial components that connect your wheel hubs to the control arms are ball joints. They enable for universal pivoting movement between the wheel hubs and control arms, resulting in a safe, smooth ride and accurate vehicle control.

Symptoms of Loose Ball Joints

While ball joints may last 70,000 miles or more, they don’t last forever. Their actual lifespan will depend on your driving habits, road conditions, and exposure to road splash and salt. As the ball and socket wear together, the normally close tolerance between them will increase, and the ball joint will become loose over time.

Sound

A clunking or knocking noise when the suspension travels up and down is one of the most prevalent indicators of a damaged ball joint. When driving over an uneven road, rocky terrain, potholes, or speed bumps, a worn ball joint will begin to rattle inside the socket. As the joint wears, the noise will become louder, and the joint may eventually break.

Squeaking

Because ball joints are continually moving, grease is needed to keep them lubricated. The operation of the joint is silent and smooth thanks to this oil. A ball joint might squeak or creak if the rubber boot that retains and protects the grease is damaged. When you turn the steering wheel or go over bumps, you can hear the noise. It can sound like a squeaky spring mattress, a squeaky door hinge, or a rocking chair.

Steering 

Your car may pull to the right or left due to a worn ball joint. When the steering and suspension components are tight and in good condition, the front-end alignment is set. When a ball joint loosens, the alignment can be thrown off, requiring you to correct with the steering wheel. It's also possible that your tires will wear unevenly because of this.

Tires 

Uneven tire wear could indicate that your ball joints are failing. If the inner or outer margins of your front tires are wearing out faster than the remainder of the tread, it's likely that worn ball joints are to blame. If both edges are wearing down faster than the center, the issue is under-inflation of your tires, not the ball joints.

Vibration

Excessive vibration might be caused by a loose or worn ball joint. This can make the automobile feel quite unstable, and it can even cause it to shake. A tremor in the steering wheel is also possible.

How To Check Your Ball Joints When Driving

Take Your Car Out for a Drive

Drive the automobile on a public road at the posted speed limit while keeping a close eye on the engine, steering, and general performance.

As a ball joint wears out, it loosens up, causing a vibration that you can feel through the floor or the steering wheel while driving.

Wearing ball joints cause the steering wheel to pull from left to right on its own, causing it to stray to the left or right. This might also result in uneven tire wear.

Drive Over Speed Bumps

Take it somewhere with speed bumps and drive it at a modest speed after driving at the speed limit. Stop and go a couple of times, as well as turn a couple of times.

A clunking or squeaking sound will be apparent. The worn ball joints rattling as the suspension goes up and down over the road causes clunking noises. The squeaking noise is generated when the rubber boot that protects the grease inside the ball joint is damaged, causing the ball joint to squeak. The more worn-out the ball joints grow, the louder the noises become.

Turn the Steering Wheel

The final step is to park the automobile and spin the wheels back and forth a few times while listening for ball joint noise.

Wear Indicators

Some ball joints come with built-in wear indicators, making it easier to diagnose loose ball joints. A moveable grease fitting serves as a wear indicator. The ball joint is worn and should be changed when the grease fitting collar is flush with or below the bottom of the ball joint housing.

A wear indicator pin protrudes through a hole in the bottom of the ball joint in other types. The ball joint is fine as long as the pin is visible. The ball joint should be replaced when it becomes flat with the housing or once it’s no longer visible.

Dangers of Worn Ball Joints

A worn ball joint is not an issue that should be ignored; if it fails catastrophically, your front suspension will come apart, leading you to lose control of your car. If you suspect worn ball joints, have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic who is familiar with detecting and repairing suspension problems.

We hope you have enjoyed our article on the top signs that your bolt joints and bushings need replacement. If you are looking to purchase control arms for lifted trucks due to your worn bushings and ball joints, be sure to reach out to Supreme Suspensions today! We have a great selection of premium parts for most car models, ensuring we are your one-stop shop for all suspension parts.