What are the symptoms of bad ball joints?
Symptoms will vary depending on the type and severity of the failure. When the protective grease boots fail, grit and grime enter the joint. At this point symptoms may range from none to squeaks when turning and hitting bumps. As the wear progresses, slack develops and the wheel alignment will change. At this stage, tire wear, shimmy and slack in the steering may result. In the case of catastrophic failure the joint can pull apart and the wheel may separate from the control arm. This is extremely dangerous and can result in loss of vehicle control. See our Detailed Topic All About Ball Joints for more information.
