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Understanding the Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Ball Joints
Copyright © 2006-2009 Quinton Becker
A ball joint is an important
component of your car's suspension, located on the front end of the
vehicle. Ball joints will wear out over time and cause handling
problems as they continue to deteriorate. It is important that you
have these joints inspected, particularly if you are experiencing
handling problems with your vehicle.
If you think that your ball joint may need to be replaced, there are
some symptoms that you can check for. You may hear a knocking noise
in the front end of your car when you drive over small bumps in the
road. Or, your car's alignment might be askew - if your vehicle
naturally pulls hard to one side, it is most likely out of
alignment. Uneven tire wear, a result of bad alignment, may also
indicate that your ball joints are going bad. If you ignore bad
alignment in your vehicle and continue to drive it, more problems
can arise: damage can be done to a number of internal parts,
including the tie rod.
It is best to have a qualified mechanic to determine if your car is
properly aligned, and to see if your ball joints need replacing.
There are many automobile repair shops that specialize in front-end
repair, and these are often the best places to go for such
diagnostics.
Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, you may be
able to extend the life of your ball joints by having them properly
lubricated. Unfortunately, however, this is not an option with many
newer cars - the entire ball joint must be replaced. The good news
is that ball joints in newer cars, tend to last longer than those
that were made for older models.
It is important to choose a reputable manufacturer when you buy a
new ball joint. If you own a BMW, for example, parts from the
manufacturer may cost more than you are willing to spend. As an
alternative, you may want to consider an aftermarket manufacturer
with a solid reputation. Buying through an aftermarket company can
save you quite a bit of money when purchasing replacement parts.
Ignoring a bad ball joint can result in a truly dangerous situation,
since it affects how well your car handles. Waiting until a ball
joint fails may cause you to wreck your vehicle. Many drivers opt to
have a professional mechanic install new ball joints. Following the
replacement of the joint, your car will need to be realigned; many
people find that it is easiest to have a mechanic do both. An
alignment requires very specialized tools that the average
do-it-yourself mechanic does not own. An alignment also requires a
good deal of knowledge and training in order to be performed
correctly.
As mentioned before, your car's tie rod must often be replaced along
with the ball joint. Since these parts work in conjunction, some
mechanics recommend that you replace both at once.
No matter what kind of ball joint your car utilizes, whether a new
or old model, it is important that you have these joints inspected
each time your car is brought in for maintenance. Keeping these
joints lubricated and well-maintained are essential in maintaining a
safe degree of alignment in your vehicle.
About the Author
Quinton Becker writes about cars,
trucks and motorcycles. Quinton is one of many writers who
contribute automotive information to:
http://www.AutomotiveWebmasters.com - a website where you can
uncover the lowest gasoline prices in your state, loads of
automotive information, and a free
better gas mileage tips ebook. Also for auto parts, please
consider:
http://www.drivewire.com
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