In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home Article Directory
More from Bill Platt
"Bill Platt for Book Authors" Youtube Channel
Training for Book Authors
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
FictionPlots.com (350+ Plots & counting)
Please Support Our Advertisers

 
D9 Hosting


Understanding the Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Ball Joints

Copyright (c) 2006-2023

A ball joint is an important component of your car's suspension, located on the front end of the vehicle. Ball joints will wear out over time and cause handling problems as they continue to deteriorate. It is important that you have these joints inspected, particularly if you are experiencing handling problems with your vehicle.

If you think that your ball joint may need to be replaced, there are some symptoms that you can check for. You may hear a knocking noise in the front end of your car when you drive over small bumps in the road. Or, your car's alignment might be askew - if your vehicle naturally pulls hard to one side, it is most likely out of alignment. Uneven tire wear, a result of bad alignment, may also indicate that your ball joints are going bad. If you ignore bad alignment in your vehicle and continue to drive it, more problems can arise: damage can be done to a number of internal parts, including the tie rod.

It is best to have a qualified mechanic to determine if your car is properly aligned, and to see if your ball joints need replacing. There are many automobile repair shops that specialize in front-end repair, and these are often the best places to go for such diagnostics.

Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, you may be able to extend the life of your ball joints by having them properly lubricated. Unfortunately, however, this is not an option with many newer cars - the entire ball joint must be replaced. The good news is that ball joints in newer cars, tend to last longer than those that were made for older models.

It is important to choose a reputable manufacturer when you buy a new ball joint. If you own a BMW, for example, parts from the manufacturer may cost more than you are willing to spend. As an alternative, you may want to consider an aftermarket manufacturer with a solid reputation. Buying through an aftermarket company can save you quite a bit of money when purchasing replacement parts.

Ignoring a bad ball joint can result in a truly dangerous situation, since it affects how well your car handles. Waiting until a ball joint fails may cause you to wreck your vehicle. Many drivers opt to have a professional mechanic install new ball joints. Following the replacement of the joint, your car will need to be realigned; many people find that it is easiest to have a mechanic do both. An alignment requires very specialized tools that the average do-it-yourself mechanic does not own. An alignment also requires a good deal of knowledge and training in order to be performed correctly.

As mentioned before, your car's tie rod must often be replaced along with the ball joint. Since these parts work in conjunction, some mechanics recommend that you replace both at once.

No matter what kind of ball joint your car utilizes, whether a new or old model, it is important that you have these joints inspected each time your car is brought in for maintenance. Keeping these joints lubricated and well-maintained are essential in maintaining a safe degree of alignment in your vehicle.


About The Author: Shop Amazon - Top Gift Ideas
It is not always necessary to change auto insurance companies to save money on car insurance. Getting a better price elsewhere often encourages insurance agents to offer additional discounts to existing customers. For Oklahoma drivers, the website http://CheapOklahomaAutoInsurance.com/ can help them with the auto insurance quotes research process. For consumers in other states, try http://maxroo.com/updates/auto-insurance-quotes/ Quinton Becker writes about automotive topics.

VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.



Top-Level Category: Automotive Articles || Related Categories: Technology Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Quinton Becker

What Are OEM Auto Parts? And Why Should They Be Considered?
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-22 | Word Count: 698 | Page Views: 6711 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 1.81
Purchasing OEM auto parts is an excellent way of ensuring that the replacement parts you buy will fit your car. OEM auto parts are particularly important if you own a high-performance automobile...

The Three W's of Oxygen Sensors
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-08 | Word Count: 658 | Page Views: 6234 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.36
Unless you are an automobile mechanic or work around car parts, you probably do not know anything about oxygen sensors. Of course, the name itself gives a pretty big clue, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. The fact is, oxygen sensors are very important to the overall function of a vehicle. The following are what could be referred to as the three W's of oxygen sensors:

Taking Care of Your Car's Braking System Can Prevent Accidents
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-01 | Word Count: 616 | Page Views: 7672 | Votes: 25 | Rating: 1.68
A brake rotor is a vital part of the braking system on your vehicle. A brake rotor, in conjunction with brake pads, brings your car to come to a quick and complete stop. If you have a worn brake rotor, you should have it replaced as soon as possible for your own safety.

Performance Parts Can Help With Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-25 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 6064 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
Performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest.

Low-Riders, Street Racers and Everyday Drivers Should Be Aware of the Camber in a Car's Suspension System
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-18 | Word Count: 721 | Page Views: 5792 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
The camber kit in your car's suspension system adjusts the angle of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint - how much of each tire comes into contact with the pavement. If you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are some major handling problems that will arise. While street racers and low-rider buffs are the people who could use the camber kit most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an economical safety improvement for their vehicles.

Do-It-Yourself Automotive Axle Assembly Repair Tips and Tricks
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-11 | Word Count: 619 | Page Views: 7231 | Votes: 23 | Rating: 2.52
Replacing an axle assembly is not as difficult as you may think. For front-wheel drive cars, and for some rear-wheel drive cars, this can be a do-it-yourself job. You will want to review the repair manual of your vehicle to decide, based on your own mechanical skill, whether you feel comfortable tackling this project yourself.

Don't Let Your Car's Alternator Leave You Stranded
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-06 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 19669 | Votes: 51 | Rating: 2.98
An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient or dangerous situation.

Car Antenna Replacements Are Quick And Easy When You Know What To Do
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-04 | Word Count: 586 | Page Views: 18111 | Votes: 41 | Rating: 1.90
Antennas are not the most durable parts of a vehicle, and are prone to requiring replacement or repair. There are many ways in which a car's radio antenna may be damaged. Unfortunately, one of the most common causes for antenna damage is vandalism... The good news is that repairs are fairly easy and straight-forward. In this article, we will tell you how-to replace a retractable car antenna.

Brush Guards Can Protect Cars and Trucks in Low-Impact Collisions
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-29 | Word Count: 649 | Page Views: 9409 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.18
It may seem like an odd addition to a passenger car that is until you stop to realize that most police departments use them on their cars as well. Brush guards protect cars and trucks from minor damages that might otherwise be sustained in a low-impact collision with a vehicle or a tree.

Reduce Your Monthly Budget By Eliminating Duplicate Insurance Coverage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-27 | Word Count: 648 | Page Views: 4896 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.80
There's absolutely no sense in paying for the same insurance coverage from multiple insurance companies. This is an area where a lot of consumers could eliminate some unnecessary spending from their family budget. This article explains where to look for duplicate coverage.

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Automotive" Articles

How to Decide if Selling, Trading or Donating a Car is the Best Financial Choice
Written by: Leona Arwine | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 600 | Page Views: 4100 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 0.25
The truth is, there is no universally right way to dispose of a used car. Decide which of the following statements best describes your situation for some specific advice on how to get rid of your used car.

What Are OEM Auto Parts? And Why Should They Be Considered?
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-22 | Word Count: 698 | Page Views: 6711 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 1.81
Purchasing OEM auto parts is an excellent way of ensuring that the replacement parts you buy will fit your car. OEM auto parts are particularly important if you own a high-performance automobile...

The Three W's of Oxygen Sensors
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-08 | Word Count: 658 | Page Views: 6234 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.36
Unless you are an automobile mechanic or work around car parts, you probably do not know anything about oxygen sensors. Of course, the name itself gives a pretty big clue, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. The fact is, oxygen sensors are very important to the overall function of a vehicle. The following are what could be referred to as the three W's of oxygen sensors:

Taking Care of Your Car's Braking System Can Prevent Accidents
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-01 | Word Count: 616 | Page Views: 7672 | Votes: 25 | Rating: 1.68
A brake rotor is a vital part of the braking system on your vehicle. A brake rotor, in conjunction with brake pads, brings your car to come to a quick and complete stop. If you have a worn brake rotor, you should have it replaced as soon as possible for your own safety.

Performance Parts Can Help With Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-25 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 6064 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
Performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest.

Low-Riders, Street Racers and Everyday Drivers Should Be Aware of the Camber in a Car's Suspension System
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-18 | Word Count: 721 | Page Views: 5792 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
The camber kit in your car's suspension system adjusts the angle of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint - how much of each tire comes into contact with the pavement. If you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are some major handling problems that will arise. While street racers and low-rider buffs are the people who could use the camber kit most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an economical safety improvement for their vehicles.

Don't Let Your Car's Alternator Leave You Stranded
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-06 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 19669 | Votes: 51 | Rating: 2.98
An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient or dangerous situation.

Brush Guards Can Protect Cars and Trucks in Low-Impact Collisions
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-29 | Word Count: 649 | Page Views: 9409 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.18
It may seem like an odd addition to a passenger car that is until you stop to realize that most police departments use them on their cars as well. Brush guards protect cars and trucks from minor damages that might otherwise be sustained in a low-impact collision with a vehicle or a tree.

Brake Pads Are An Essential Element of Your Car's Safety Equipment
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-20 | Word Count: 626 | Page Views: 5701 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.33
Brake pads are an integral element of the braking system in a car. As you use your brakes in everyday driving, you will slowly wear down, and, eventually, need to replace the brake pads. Taking good care of your braking system will ensure the safety of you and your family as you drive.

Understanding Uninsured Motorist And Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-16 | Word Count: 740 | Page Views: 4517 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.20
Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UIM) are often the most under-appreciated and misunderstood forms of insurance available to consumers. This article will explain both...

Most Viewed "Automotive" Articles

Don't Let Your Car's Alternator Leave You Stranded
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-06 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 19669 | Votes: 51 | Rating: 2.98
An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient or dangerous situation.

Brush Guards Can Protect Cars and Trucks in Low-Impact Collisions
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-29 | Word Count: 649 | Page Views: 9409 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.18
It may seem like an odd addition to a passenger car that is until you stop to realize that most police departments use them on their cars as well. Brush guards protect cars and trucks from minor damages that might otherwise be sustained in a low-impact collision with a vehicle or a tree.

Taking Care of Your Car's Braking System Can Prevent Accidents
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-01 | Word Count: 616 | Page Views: 7672 | Votes: 25 | Rating: 1.68
A brake rotor is a vital part of the braking system on your vehicle. A brake rotor, in conjunction with brake pads, brings your car to come to a quick and complete stop. If you have a worn brake rotor, you should have it replaced as soon as possible for your own safety.

What Are OEM Auto Parts? And Why Should They Be Considered?
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-22 | Word Count: 698 | Page Views: 6711 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 1.81
Purchasing OEM auto parts is an excellent way of ensuring that the replacement parts you buy will fit your car. OEM auto parts are particularly important if you own a high-performance automobile...

The Three W's of Oxygen Sensors
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-06-08 | Word Count: 658 | Page Views: 6234 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 1.36
Unless you are an automobile mechanic or work around car parts, you probably do not know anything about oxygen sensors. Of course, the name itself gives a pretty big clue, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. The fact is, oxygen sensors are very important to the overall function of a vehicle. The following are what could be referred to as the three W's of oxygen sensors:

Performance Parts Can Help With Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-25 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 6064 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
Performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest.

How a Vehicle's Exhaust System Affects Its Power and Performance
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-14 | Word Count: 959 | Page Views: 5879 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.00
The stock exhaust on many cars is far more restrictive than it needs to be. Many years ago people seeking improved power and performance learned that they could achieve both by adding a larger, less restrictive exhaust system to their vehicle. Not only do new exhaust systems provide increased power, they can also generate that sound that many automotive enthusiasts like to hear from their vehicle.

Low-Riders, Street Racers and Everyday Drivers Should Be Aware of the Camber in a Car's Suspension System
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-18 | Word Count: 721 | Page Views: 5792 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
The camber kit in your car's suspension system adjusts the angle of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint - how much of each tire comes into contact with the pavement. If you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are some major handling problems that will arise. While street racers and low-rider buffs are the people who could use the camber kit most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an economical safety improvement for their vehicles.

Brake Pads Are An Essential Element of Your Car's Safety Equipment
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-20 | Word Count: 626 | Page Views: 5701 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.33
Brake pads are an integral element of the braking system in a car. As you use your brakes in everyday driving, you will slowly wear down, and, eventually, need to replace the brake pads. Taking good care of your braking system will ensure the safety of you and your family as you drive.

Constant Reminders: Oil Change Stickers
Written by: Malcolm Uffelman | Distributed: 2008-06-09 | Word Count: 479 | Page Views: 5427 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.12
More than ever these days we are forced to take responsibility for our own welfare. As a symbol that little oil change decal is always there, every time we get behind the wheel. And it greets us with an important question: 'Hey is it time for service yet?'

Highest Ranked "Automotive" Articles

Don't Let Your Car's Alternator Leave You Stranded
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-06 | Word Count: 630 | Page Views: 19669 | Votes: 51 | Rating: 2.98
An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient or dangerous situation.

Brake Pads Are An Essential Element of Your Car's Safety Equipment
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-20 | Word Count: 626 | Page Views: 5701 | Votes: 21 | Rating: 2.33
Brake pads are an integral element of the braking system in a car. As you use your brakes in everyday driving, you will slowly wear down, and, eventually, need to replace the brake pads. Taking good care of your braking system will ensure the safety of you and your family as you drive.

High Performance Vehicles Depend On Good Air Flow
Written by: Isaak Carter | Distributed: 2007-03-14 | Word Count: 1243 | Page Views: 4701 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.33
High performance on a car or truck is often thought of in terms of higher horsepower (HP), more torque, faster speeds and quicker acceleration. High performance upgrades generally include improvements in efficiency and/or power.

Brush Guards Can Protect Cars and Trucks in Low-Impact Collisions
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-29 | Word Count: 649 | Page Views: 9409 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.18
It may seem like an odd addition to a passenger car that is until you stop to realize that most police departments use them on their cars as well. Brush guards protect cars and trucks from minor damages that might otherwise be sustained in a low-impact collision with a vehicle or a tree.

Performance Parts Can Help With Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-25 | Word Count: 754 | Page Views: 6064 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
Performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest.

Low-Riders, Street Racers and Everyday Drivers Should Be Aware of the Camber in a Car's Suspension System
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-05-18 | Word Count: 721 | Page Views: 5792 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.15
The camber kit in your car's suspension system adjusts the angle of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint - how much of each tire comes into contact with the pavement. If you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are some major handling problems that will arise. While street racers and low-rider buffs are the people who could use the camber kit most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an economical safety improvement for their vehicles.

Constant Reminders: Oil Change Stickers
Written by: Malcolm Uffelman | Distributed: 2008-06-09 | Word Count: 479 | Page Views: 5427 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.12
More than ever these days we are forced to take responsibility for our own welfare. As a symbol that little oil change decal is always there, every time we get behind the wheel. And it greets us with an important question: 'Hey is it time for service yet?'

How a Vehicle's Exhaust System Affects Its Power and Performance
Written by: Quinton Becker | Distributed: 2010-04-14 | Word Count: 959 | Page Views: 5879 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 2.00
The stock exhaust on many cars is far more restrictive than it needs to be. Many years ago people seeking improved power and performance learned that they could achieve both by adding a larger, less restrictive exhaust system to their vehicle. Not only do new exhaust systems provide increased power, they can also generate that sound that many automotive enthusiasts like to hear from their vehicle.

Oil Change Reminder Stickers
Written by: Malcolm Uffelman | Distributed: 2008-06-13 | Word Count: 692 | Page Views: 4459 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.00
On his thirtieth birthday Joe was proud of himself. He was the owner of the biggest little business in town. Every week the same ad ran in the local paper: Get your oil changed by a friend.

The Farmer's Best Friend-The Dump Trailer
Written by: Jim Farmer | Distributed: 2008-11-25 | Word Count: 406 | Page Views: 4073 | Votes: 20 | Rating: 1.95
There are some fundamental truths about farming: It is arguable the most important industry in today's world, its time demanding and both physically and mentally challenging. So taking advantage of anything that helps in their day-to-day routine is critical for both profit and saving time.











Download an eBook today
 
Directory Navigation
Locate By Category:

ALL Categories
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - Offline
Business - Online
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Finance
Food & Drink
Health & Wellness
Home & Garden
Humor
Internet
Nature & Pets
Real Estate
Religion
Self Improvement
Shopping
Society
Sports & Recreation
Technology
Travel & Leisure
Uncategorized
World Events
Writing & Speaking

Change Number of Results:
50 - 100 - 200 - 500
Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Statistics
Word Count: 538

Total Views: 32671

Article Rating: 3.01 of 5
Votes Cast: 68

More Articles By Author:



Last Distribution Date:
2010-06-15 10:00:00

Internal ID: #3786





All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2023 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2023, ThePhantomWriters.com