Admin Table of Contents
How much does it cost to replace ball joints?
A ball joint parts cost for most cars is usually around $80 – $150 each, but it can cost as high as $350 each in some luxury or performance cars. Meanwhile, labor cost is usually around $250 – $300. However, sometimes they can be as cheap as $150 depending on the repair shop’s labor rates.
Can you drive if ball joints are bad?
Can I Drive With a Bad Ball Joint? 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.
Are ball joints in the front or back?
Rear ball joints are essentially the main rear pivot point between the wheel and the suspension, and are very important to the vehicle’s overall ride and handling characteristics. When they fail, they can cause problems and place additional stress on other suspension joints and components.
What happens when ball joints fail?
Ball joint failure isn’t a common problem, but can be the result of years of driving along bumpy, uneven road surfaces. A broken ball joint may be the cause of a mysterious clunking noise or drifting steering. If a ball joint fails completely, it can even result in the wheel dramatically falling off the car.
How do I check my ball joints?
Checking your ball joints when driving is straightforward, simply:
- Take your car out for a drive.
- Drive over speed bumps.
- Turn the steering wheel.
- Check your tyre wear.
- Loosen the lug nuts.
- Jack up the car and place wheel chocks behind the wheels.
- Rock the tyre on its axis.
- Remove the wheel.
What causes ball joints to go bad?
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. While healthy ball joints allow for smooth movement from side to side, they shouldn’t wiggle or jolt up and down.