Automotive Q & A

Answer:

Ball joints will eventually wear from the amount of movement and friction they undergo. They can also become loose. A ball joint is made to fit tightly into its steel casing and excessive wear will allow for more room for the ball to move in the socket, which can affect wheel alignment, tire wear, and suspension noise. Bad ball joints can lead to abnormal wearing of your tires.

A ball joint’s lubrication can also dry out. This will allow road water to get inside the ball joint and will eventually lead to rust. As ball joints wear, this can hamper your ability to steer and control the vehicle. If a ball joint fails, a vehicle’s suspension can collapse or the wheel could fall off causing the vehicle to lose control. A bad ball joint is extremely dangerous and can cause serious accidents.