Frost Heaves & Pot Holes: A Ball Joints Worst Enemy !

Well  most of us who live in the northeast are very familiar with the words “frost heaves” and “pot holes.” Many mechanics look at these bumpy road conditions as job security as frost heaves along with pot holes can wreak havoc on your vehicles suspension components. It is important that your vehicles strut assembly’s and or shock absorbers are in good shape. What does a shock absorber do? Well it does just that it “absorbs shock” or the impact it receives when your car hits a bump. When a shock absorber or strut is not performing as it should, guess what takes the abuse? That’s right you, and your vehicles suspension components! One of the first components to suffer are the ball joints. In the picture below you can see that I have separated the lower ball joint from the  steering knuckle and I am preparing to remove it.

Old ball joint to be removed from control arm.

Red arrow indicates old ball joint to be removed from control arm.

To better understand what a ball joint is I cut the old ball joint in half so you can better understand what it does and why they wear out, and  also why it is important to replace them before they fail.

Ball joint cut away in socket.

Ball joint cut away in socket.

Ball joint removed from socket.

Ball joint removed from socket.

First a ball joint securely connects the steering knuckle securely to the lower control arm, while allowing it to move  as you steer the car by the means of a “ball joint.” With some designs there is also an upper ball joint, but that is not the case with this vehicle.  Secondly over time the socket, or joint that the ball fits into wears out causing the ball to have excessive up and down movement. Thirdly it is important that you have a proper safety inspection performed to check the all of the ball joints properly to include tie rod ends etc, before they actually fail. What happens when a ball joint fails? Well if I did not replace the ball joint for the vehicle in this post the ball would have eventually separated from the socket causing the right front wheel to collapse and total loss of control of the vehicle would have been experienced. If you happen to live in a state that does not require a safety inspection take my advice, request that your mechanic performs a safety inspection! It could save your, or the life of someone you share the road with. Thank you for visiting  joeboulay.com

New ball joint to be installed in lower control arm.

New ball joint to be installed in lower control arm.

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