Over time, parts of your fancy new car will start to break down and cause problems. Some of them are easy, some are extremely difficult to do at home, and some are expensive. Ball joints fall right in the middle of that spectrum. They’re not super expensive but may tax the home mechanic’s skills and equipment.
The Drive’s editors have done their fair share of home ball joint repairs, and they’re here to tell you that, unless you are extremely confident in your skills and equipment, it’s best to pay someone the little bit of cash that it’ll take to do the repairs.
But for those still weighing their options, we’re here to answer the question, what does a ball joint do, exactly? Why do they break? And why is it best to entrust someone with the tools to fix it? In this post, we’ll dive into the details and help lay the foundation for your successful repair job. Stick with us, and you’ll have a solid understanding of ball joint basics in no time.
Let’s dive in.
[Ed. Note: This post was modified on 3/25/2021 with added information]
In cars, ball joints consist of a spherical bearing that moves inside a small socket. They are used to connect control arms to steering knuckles. When they start to fail, they can allow movement in directions that are not conducive to safe steering and handling.
The underside of your vehicle is exposed to everything. Dirt, grime, oil, salt, and anything else on the road can make its way into the ball joint and lead to a loss of lubrication. Ball joints can also rust and deteriorate, which will cause unintended movement and looseness.
No. You should not drive with a bad ball joint. Continuing to drive can cause damage to other vehicle components and if the joint fails completely you could lose control of the vehicle, leading to a crash and injuries.
Checking your car’s ball joints will require both a road test and a visual inspection, but the process is neither difficult nor expensive.
Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 Hours, Depending on vehicle and skill level
Skill Level: Beginner
Vehicle System: Suspension
We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.
Tool List
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)
You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.
Each wheel has multiple ball joints, so it’s important to check each. Typically, you'll see an upper, lower, and lateral joint on both sides up front, but every car is different. Use your owner's manual to locate the joints on your car.
Learn more about ball joints with these related terms.
Control arms connect the front wheels to the car. One side of the control arm is connected to the wheel assembly and the other is connected to the car’s frame.
CV joints, or constant velocity joints, connect the transmission to the wheels. They are part of the driveshaft and are mostly seen on front-wheel drive vehicles, though they can show up on other drive types as well.
The suspension system in a vehicle is used to keep the ride comfortable while keeping the tires in constant contact with the road. The shocks, struts, and other components all work together to help the vehicle stay planted and safe over rough roads and while driving around corners and curves.
Even if you don’t notice the symptoms of a failing ball joint, check the rubber boots for wear or damage to catch problems before they develop.
You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
A. Replacing a ball joint won’t break the bank. The joints themselves cost less than $100 each, while the labor to install them can come in as low as $100. Large trucks and high-end vehicles may carry a higher replacement cost, but you’re still not looking at a major repair cost.
A. You absolutely can, but the process can be taxing for beginners, especially since you need a press to get the ball joint into the receiver. If you’re dead set on doing the work yourself, grab a maintenance manual for your vehicle and study the construction, as well as the tools you’ll need to do the job. You can check out the video below for more instructions.
A: Plenty of mechanics will recommend that you replace both the upper and lower ball joints at the same time. They may also recommend checking related components at the same time, such as the stud hole in the steering knuckle.
A: A ball joint’s lifespan will depend heavily on the type of vehicle and the kinds of driving it’s subjected to. In general, you can look to get at least 70,000 miles out of a ball joint before it needs replacement.
A: Yes. Depending on the location of the joint, some may fail more quickly than others. This is especially true if the joint is load-bearing.
A: They do, but depending on your vehicle and the way it was constructed, you may be able to find ways around it. The Drive’s editors have experience with the workarounds and are here to tell you to have someone else do the work for you, if at all possible.
A. You won’t always need an alignment after replacing your ball joints, but suspension systems can vary so wildly from make to make that it’s worth at least having the alignment checked to be sure you’re not missing something.
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K Tool Floor Jack
Pro-Lift Jack Stand
Haynes Repair Manual (model specific)
Mechanix Work Gloves
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