Ball joint replacement is a common mechanical issue that needs to be fixed. Ball joints can become worn down and need to be replaced when they become worn. You can save some money by doing it yourself instead of going to a mechanic. But, if you do the work incorrectly it could end up costing you more money.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Ball Joint (Front)
- Clunking Noises From the Front Suspension. One of the most common symptoms of a problem with suspension ball joints is clunking noises coming from the vehicle's front suspension.
- Excessive Vibration From the Front of the Vehicle.
- Uneven Wear on Front Tires.
- Steering Wheel Wandering to the Left or Right.
The average cost for a Ford F-150 suspension shock or strut replacement is between $577 and $789. Labor costs are estimated between $126 and $161 while parts are priced between $451 and $628. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
3. Bad ball joint symptoms. Kloster: When a ball joint exceeds the vehicle's manufacturer's maximum allowance for movement, it should be replaced. Other signs of needing to replace would be a clunking noise, uneven tire wear or if the vehicle starts to pull.
In general, ball joints are inexpensive with a range between $20 to $80 each. Labor will vary greatly by model. Some vehicles cost as low as $60 to $80. Yet others, especially four-wheel drive trucks, can range from $160 to $200 per ball joint.
Generally speaking, you should expect to have to have your ball joints replaced between 70,000 to 150,000 miles of driving. Excessive play in the joint can cause additional wear, and if a ball joint fails, your car's suspension could collapse and you could lose control of the vehicle.
For replacing the lower ball joint, you will pay about $250, on average. The labor ranges from $225 to $285, and the parts can cost you anywhere from $90 to $120.
Lift the
upper control arm out of the spindle assembly. Remove the nut holding the lower
ball joint in place.
Mount the spindle on the lower ball joint.
- Don't forget the boot!!
- Cut the wire supporting the spindle in place.
- Slide the spindle up on to the lower ball joint.
- Screw on the nut to hold the ball joint in place.
The ball joint is a small part of your car, and the part itself is only going to cost between $20-$150 or more, depending on where you get it from and what kind of vehicle you own. It can take a little over an hour to get it replaced, so the full ball joint replacement cost will be between $100 and $400.
- Step 1 - Lift truck on jack stands. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with a tire iron.
- Step 2 - Disconnect wheel spindle from upper ball joint. Use a 21mm deep socket to loosen up the ball joint bolt nut.
- Step 4 - Remove and replace control arm.
- Step 5 - Re-install front suspension.
- Step 6 - Get an alignment.
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 1 - Loosen the Lug Nuts.
- Step 2 - Raise the Car.
- Step 3 - Locate the Upper Ball Joint.
- Step 4 - Drill Through the Rivets.
- Step 5 - Find the Cotter Pin.
- Step 6 - Raise the Lower Control Arm.
- Step 7 - Remove the Cotter Pin.
- Step 8 - Removing the Upper Ball Joint.
How to Use a Ball Joint Press
- Lift up the front end of the vehicle using a car jack.
- Remove the front wheels.
- Detach the brake caliper.
- Slide off the rotor.
- Remove the upper control arm by removing the cotter pin that keeps it in place.
- Place the ball joint press over the ball joint on the control arm.
How to Replace a Lower Control Arm and Bushings
- There is a video of this job being done at the bottom of this guide.
- Release the Ball Joint.
- Remove the Sway Bar Link.
- Remove the Control Mounting Bolts.
- Remove the Lower Control Arm.
- Replace the Bushings.
- Reinstall the Lower Control Arm.
Auto experts say control arms connect the car's suspension to the actual vehicle frame. They are connected to the frame through a component called brushings, while they attach to the suspension through the ball joint. That allows the vehicle to turn its wheel and pivot, connecting the tire to the car's suspension.
The average cost for a Ford F-150 suspension ball joint replacement is between $405 and $633. Labor costs are estimated between $272 and $345 while parts are priced between $133 and $288.
You can't damage a joint by overfilling it, can't happen but you could rupture the boot if it's completely sealed. I started working as a mechanic in 1970 and everything needed grease, usually every 3 months. or 3000 miles. Different joints were different sizes so they required varying amounts of grease.
Ball joints deteriorate if dirt, grit and impurities get inside or grease escapes, leading to a lack of lubrication. Added to this, rusting and general wear and tear also damage these suspension parts. The effects of this deterioration are excessive play and looseness (beyond the manufacturer's specifications).
short answer is it depends on how bad they are. the lower ball joint typically gets more wear than the upper. i'd say, if there's just a little wiggle in either joint, you should have no problem driving 500 miles.
By far the worst that can happen, when driving on a bad ball joint, is breakage. The ball joint can break in two ways: the ball detaching from the socket and stud breakage. No matter the form of breakage, the end result is catastrophic. When the ball joint completely breaks, the wheel is free to move in any direction.
Metallic clunking noise: One of the most noticeable and common symptoms of a bad ball joint is a clunking or knocking noise when the suspension moves up and down. It can sound like a noisy door hinge, a rocking chair or a creaky spring mattress. Vibration: A loose or worn ball joint can cause excessive vibration.
Here are the most common symptoms of bad control arm bushings and ball joints:
- Clunking Noise. Specifically coming from the control arm and usually following a bump, braking, or a hard turn.
- Steering Wander. Pulling to the left or right without input from the steering wheel.
- Un-Even Tire Wear.
- Vibration.
Ball joint replacement cost
Some vehicles have only two lower ball joints and some have four, both upper and lower. You do not have to replace all the ball joints at one time, just the ones that are faulty. Factors include whether the vehicle uses two or four ball joints.Usually, when front ball joints start to fail, the vehicle will display a few symptoms that alert the driver a problem has occurred.
- Clunking noises coming from the front suspension.
- Excessive vibration from the front of the vehicle.
- Steering wandering to the left or right.
