Breaking Bad....
As you most likely know, the ball joints on your vehicle are vital parts of the suspension system. They connect the wheel/tire with the rest of the vehicle. And so, they act as tiny bridges, which helps support the vehicle’s weight and enable you to turn the steering wheel.
The ball joint on the left is a cut-a-way of a new ball joint. The basic parts of ball joints include the ball stud, a steel bearing, and a housing.
One of the most distinguished signs indicating a problem with the ball joints is strange sounds. That’s actually the easiest way to know it’s time to check the ball joints. It sometimes starts with a squeaking or clicking noise when turning, or a clunking noise on rough roads.
The ball joint on the right is one that broke while the driver was turning into a parking lot. The ball stud was seized-up in the socket. This ball joint made some minor squeaking noises 5 months prior to it breaking, but showed no wear and no steering concerns. So, it was a surprise to us when it broke with out any warning! The vehicle was undriveable after the break. And the vehicle just came off the highway. Scary…
Regardless of why do ball joints go bad, they affect the steering wheel! You suddenly realize that you either don’t have full control (or zero control when the ball joint completely breaks) when you are driving. The steering wheel will most likely wander to the right or left. You simply can’t keep the car straight. You might also experience a strange feeling of stiffness when you are driving. So please, if you are hearing strange abnormal noises or the steering feels abnormal, call us for an steering and suspension inspection. The vehicle could become dangerous.
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