Do I need struts or ball joints?
On vehicles with strut suspensions, there are no ball joints unless the suspension is a wishbone combination, but the upper mounting plate can become worn out, and cause noises. When replacing ball joints, it is recommended to replace both sides.
How can you tell if your lower ball joint is bad?
Top 4 Symptoms of a bad Lower Ball Joint Vibrations – When you have a bad lower ball joint, you will be able to feel vibrations in the steering wheel or from the left or right side of the vehicle. These vibrations are coming from the suspension system. If the lower ball joint is worn out, it will become loose which is why the vibrations occur.
Why is my strut suspension ball joint clicking?
The ball joint assembly in a vehicle with strut suspension should be silent. Any clicking sound when you move it up indicates it’s worn out and not working smoothly as it should. If you notice significant play, you need to change the ball joint. Alternatively, have someone look at the ball joint while you attempt to move it.
What are the symptoms of a bad strut assembly?
Similar in cause to the above symptom, a rough or bumpy ride can also be an indicator of worn out or broken struts. It can also be a symptom of other parts of the strut assembly such as bushings, shocks or mounting hardware associated with the struts.
How can I check the ball joint on my front suspension?
If your front suspension uses MacPherson struts, look for a wear indicator, which is usually a grease fitting. Grasp the fitting and try to wiggle it. If the fitting moves around inside the housing, you’ll need to replace the ball joint. Jack up the car on the front cross-member.
Top 4 Symptoms of a bad Lower Ball Joint Vibrations – When you have a bad lower ball joint, you will be able to feel vibrations in the steering wheel or from the left or right side of the vehicle. These vibrations are coming from the suspension system. If the lower ball joint is worn out, it will become loose which is why the vibrations occur.
The ball joint assembly in a vehicle with strut suspension should be silent. Any clicking sound when you move it up indicates it’s worn out and not working smoothly as it should. If you notice significant play, you need to change the ball joint. Alternatively, have someone look at the ball joint while you attempt to move it.
If your front suspension uses MacPherson struts, look for a wear indicator, which is usually a grease fitting. Grasp the fitting and try to wiggle it. If the fitting moves around inside the housing, you’ll need to replace the ball joint. Jack up the car on the front cross-member.
How can you tell if you have a bad strut?
Furthermore, struts that are well-past their prime can cause issues that affect vehicle safety. With that in mind, you might be wondering how you can tell if you have a bad strut. Let’s find out. In a MacPherson strut-style suspension, a type of shock absorber, called a MacPherson strut, is behind each wheel.