What happens when a lower ball joint fails?

What happens when a lower ball joint fails?

A broken ball joint may be the cause of a mysterious clunking noise or drifting steering. And once they’re worn, they will seriously affect your steering and suspension. If a ball joint fails completely, it can even result in the wheel dramatically falling off the car.

How much does it cost to replace lower ball joints?

Lower Ball Joint Replacement Cost The cost to replace the lower ball joint is anywhere from $220 to $290. The cost of the parts will only be around $90 to $120, while the labor costs will be from $130 to $170. There will be added fees and taxes applied to these prices as well.

Is it safe to drive with worn ball joints?

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.

When should a lower ball joint be replaced?

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.

What material is the ball joint Lube plate made of?

The lube plate where few thousand pound of pressure is bearing down is made of simply – nylon. Assuming the sleeve is made of nylon, it would explain why many of Honda’s ball joint does not come with grease fitting, as nylon, in contact with a highly polish steel ball can probably function for a long time even without lube.

How do you remove the castle nut on a lower ball joint?

Under the lower ball joint, remove metal clip that holds the castle nut in place. Then remove the castle nut. Using the following tool from HarborFreight (P/N:66686) to pop the lower ball joint lose.

Why don’t ball joints have grease fittings?

Assuming the sleeve is made of nylon, it would explain why many of Honda’s ball joint does not come with grease fitting, as nylon, in contact with a highly polish steel ball can probably function for a long time even without lube. Of course, I may be complete wrong here.

How much does it cost to replace a ball joint?

Since Honda will only sell you a ball joint with the entire steering knuckle for $130 ~ $170. And since the process of replacing steering knuckle would also destroy the wheel bearing, a new wheel bearing is also needed for $80 ~ $110. Needless to say, I begin to look for aftermarket replacement ball joint.