An important part of your car’s suspension system is its ball joints. Made of extra-strong steel, ball joints act as a pivot point between two parts: your car’s suspension and tires. This part helps support the weight of your car and, as is the case with some vehicles, can be used to help set the alignment. Let’s take a closer look at this key component of your car’s suspension system.
Encased in a steel casing, the gaskets are used on the front end of nearly every car, truck, SUV, and minivan. As you would expect, this important component is subject to a lot of wear and tear, so to properly protect them, they are housed in a closed sleeve to keep dirt away from the joint assembly.
There are two types of suspension systems that use ball joints. The first is a conventional system that uses a top and bottom joint. The second is called the MacPherson strut system which uses a single lower joint and upper strut bearing. No top gasket needed as the top strut bearing does the work for you.
The maintenance of this component has changed over the years for most cars. Many vehicles come equipped with permanently lubricated joints, so lubrication is neither necessary nor possible since the package containing the lubrication is permanently sealed. When they wear out or get damaged, you can find replacement parts that come with lubrication fittings; in this case, you will need to lubricate your new units regularly like when you change the oil in your vehicle.
When performing an inspection of your car’s suspension, the ball joints should also be checked. Do a complete wheel alignment and make sure they are not worn. If they wear out and are not changed, you will soon experience uneven tire wear or unreliable steering such as yaw. Clearly, worn parts are a safety issue that must be addressed and repaired immediately.
These parts are developed for the specific make/model of your vehicle. Many models share the same suspension system as other models from the brand, but to be sure, check your vehicle’s repair manual for the proper replacement parts. Certain manufacturers, such as Moog, develop parts for many makes/models and can be used by mechanics who prefer this particular product. Check online to learn more about Moog parts and if they’re right for your car.
Remember: Ball joints are an important part of your vehicle’s suspension system. Annual suspension checks can prevent costly problems that can also affect your safety.