Symptoms
- Clunking noise over bumps or during turns
- Uneven tire wear, especially on the inside or outside edge
- Steering feels looser or more vague than before
- Vibration in the steering wheel while driving
Likely causes
- CommonWorn ball joint from age and mileageBall joints wear gradually and develop play, especially if the protective boot has torn and let dirt or water in.
- CommonTorn ball joint boot allowing contaminationOnce the boot tears, grease escapes and dirt gets in, accelerating wear.
What to do
- Have a mechanic put the car on a lift and check for vertical play in each ball joint using a pry bar.
- Inspect ball joint boots for tears or missing grease.
- Note any clunking, wandering, or uneven tire wear you've noticed and mention it during inspection.
- Replace any ball joint found with excessive play, since a failed ball joint can cause loss of steering control.
- Have the alignment checked after ball joint replacement, since it affects suspension geometry.
Tools and parts
Ball joint or control arm assemblySearch: “ball joint for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
Ball joint wear is best confirmed and repaired by a mechanic with the car on a lift and proper pry tools.
Safety
Use caution
A severely worn ball joint can fail suddenly, causing the wheel to fold under the car; don't delay repair once significant play is confirmed.