Clunking Noises Coming From Your car? When to Replace Your Vauxhall's Ball Joints

Even if you've never done any type of work on a car before, chances are you've heard of a ball joint. This car part is a critical component to the suspension of your Vauxhall, and they operate in a similar way to the ball and socket joints that connect our bones together in the body. Instead of connecting bones, though, they connect your tyre and wheel to the suspension system of the car.

You've no doubt seen the results of their failure if you've ever passed a broken-down car on the side of the road with its tyre folded under. You probably swore right then and there that you'd do what you could to avoid ever being in that situation. However, if you're not sure what a ball joint actually does, and don't know what some of the signs of its impending failure are, you may miss the symptoms that lead to you stranded on the side of the road too.

What Does a Ball Joint do?

Ball joints are responsible for connecting the control arm in the suspension system to the steering knuckle. It looks like a round ball made out of steel that has a tapered stud coming out of it. It is surrounded by housing that is made of metal and has been lubricated.

Most vehicles have two types of ball joints, especially if they have a front suspension. These are known as upper and lower ball joints. The lower ball joints are typically larger and are more prone to wear and tear because of the amount of weight they support. Because of this, they may need to be replaced much more often than upper ball joints. On vehicles that don't have two sets of ball joints, lower ball joints are all that is needed.

So how do they work? To understand this, you'll need to understand how the steering system works. When you turn a steering wheel left or right, the system behind it pulls or pushes on spindles. These spindles pivot and let your tyres turn. Ball joints are solely responsible for the pivoting of the spindles. Without these Vauxhall parts, the wheels would not turn and would not be able to support the massive weight of your Vauxhall.

The Dangers of Failing Ball Joints

If you've ever known anyone who has experienced failing ball joints, there's no doubt you have heard some horror stories. The result of a failed ball joint is not pretty. At best, you may end up on the side of the road with your tyre folded under your Vauxhall. At worst, your wheels may come off the care while you're driving down the road.

Going to the mechanic is an important when you think your ball joints are failing, and if it is discovered that they are, don't be surprised if your mechanic won't let you drive the car away from the shop until it is fixed. It isn't because they want your money; it's because they know how dangerous a problem it is.

When do These Car Parts Need Replaced?

While you don't need to replace ball joints as part of your normal maintenance routine, they should be inspected each time you change your oil or oil filter. Depending on the type of ball joints your Vauxhall has, you may have to grease these car parts each time your oil is changed. Most often, though, the ball joints are encased and sealed with grease inside that is intended to last the entire life of the part.

The manufacturer will also provide you with a maximum amount of time the ball joints should be used. After this time, the car parts should be replaced. Keep your receipt for this replacement, as it can help future owners determine when the joints need to be replaced should you decide to sell the car later on.

There are several symptoms that can help you determine if your ball joints should be replaced, even if they haven't met their retirement age.

• Irregular wear on your tyres is one symptom to look for. While this could simply mean that your car needs a new alignment, it can also be a sign of a worn-out ball joint. Check for abnormal wear or feathering on your tyres regularly.

• Knocking noises can also occur. Most often, these noises will happen when you're driving over railway crossings or down an uneven road. Listen carefully while you're out and about, especially if you've recently notice uneven tyre wear.

• You might notice creaking coming from the front of your Vauxhall while you're driving. It may be difficult to assess where this creaking is coming from, but it is often a symptom of bad ball joints. The creaking occurs when the ball joint becomes loose and doesn't get enough lubrication to function properly.

Prevention

That being said, sometimes there is no indication of failing ball joints at all. In fact, you may know anything is wrong until it already to late. Right before the joint goes out, you may experiencing a slight shimmy in the steering wheel. You'll have enough time to say, “What? What's that?” before the ball joint fails and you're left stranded on the side of the road.

So how do you prevent that from happening to you? Prevent it. The best way to do this is to check the ball joints every time you get your oil changed. Or better yet, have your mechanic do it. They can check for problems easily by lifting the car up and check each tyre. They do this by pulling and pushing on the tyre in all directions with the proper tools while looking for any type of movement. If the tyre doesn't move, everything is fine. If it does, the ball joints have failed or are on the verge of failing and must be replaced.

Keep a close eye on your ball joints. They can be dangerous when they fail, and replacing them or greasing them can help prevent a break-down or even injury. If it is time to instal new versions of these Vauxhall parts, buy your replacements now.