How important are lower ball joints?
They connect the control arm to the steering knuckles and allow for smooth and solid movement in the suspension. The front suspension of most cars has at least lower ball joints and in some cases upper ones as well.
Are ball joints a safety issue?
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.
How do you secure a ball joint?
Remember to never use air or power tools as they can cause damage to components. Insert the ball joint pin into the steering knuckle. Secure it with a new bolt and locking nut, tightening to the correct torque. Refit the wheel and wheel nuts and tighten to the correct torque.
When do you need a loaded ball joint?
A loaded joint is designed to support the weight of the vehicle and a follower joint that positions the control arm or strut assembly. A lower control arm that is connected to the spring uses a loaded ball joint to connect the steering knuckle to the upper control arm follower ball joint for a SLA suspension.
How to replace a lower control arm ball joint?
Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. Learn how to replace a lower ball joint by pressing it out of the control arm and pressing the new one back in. To watch the longer, in depth version, click the link below. Press out a Ball Joint (In-depth):
Where are the ball joints on a car?
Ball joints are designed to keep your vehicle’s tires flat against the road as the suspension travels up and down. One ball joint is placed on the farthest edge of both the upper and lower control arms. The ball joint connects the control arms to the steering knuckles on either side of the vehicle.
What to do if your suspension ball joint is loose?
Take a pry bar and place it between the lower control arm and the steering knuckle, the two parts that are connected together by the ball joint, and attempt to pry them apart. Loose ball joints will have an excessive amount of play and movement when you pry on them, may even make knocking or clicking sounds. Step 7: Put the wheels back on.