I just went to get my truck inspected and they told me it couldn't pass because of bad ball joints. Then they quoted me $50 for parts and $330 for labor plus inspection cost plus alignment. I can take it home and get it ispected and they will pass it, so that isn't a problem. How dangerous is it to drive with bad lower ball joints? I am thinking I will just have sloppy steering, I would just like to not throw 500 dollars in it before i graduate, so hopefully it will last another 2 years. Will I die? Or will it last another 2 years?
If they are bad then changing them will change the alignment. The worst that could happen would be the ball joint sheering off/popping out and causing you to lose control.
theyre usually very easy to fix. for my car, just take the wheel off, take the couple bolts holding it on off, and then put the new ones back in and put the wheel back on. Then just go get like a 60 dollar alignment at NTB and youre good to go.
I forgot to say it is a 94 F-150 4x4. I would imagine the 4 wheel drive would make the project a little more difficult. I also did some research on the web and it said the worst that could happen is it snapping and my suspension collapsing.
Pretty much. This is not the time to skimp on repairs. Generally having wheels that will stay on is good.
Depends on the suspension type. On the strut type front suspension found on VW's (and probably most other FWD cars with strut front suspensions), the camber is set by setting the position of the ball joint in the control arm.
I did'nt know it was for a 4x4. Yes, an alignement is a must. And don't fool around with a bad lower ball joint. You better fix it now, because if you wheel falls off, it will cost more to repair.
I believe on his the ball joint is part of the upper control arm...could be wrong, maybe its just the newer ones. But the lower one is most certainly pressed in and held with a snap ring.
Well I had them done. They had to replace the uppers and lowers and aligned it. Cost: $748.00. But it pretty much got rid of all the play in my steering wheel and my front wheels actually stand straight up, but now it handles worse.
Well if you decide not to get them replaced, be sure to always have someone video tape your driving, so then you can sell the video to someone. http://www.wackyhut.com/Car-wheels-fall-off--247-m.php
Well i think you would like to avoid your suspension collapsing. Your best bet would be to either buy the parts and put them in your self or a trusted mechanic that does not wan't 300 plus for a ball joint. Hell, i did a few in high school, and they aren't that hard. Only thing is 4X4, so maybe the labor cost is justified, not sure.
You guys don't read too closely do you? He said not two posts above that he decided to have the ball joints replaced. <A BORDER="0" HREF="http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?displayFAQ=y"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="pitlane/emoticons/wink.gif"></A>
LOL. Too funny. <A BORDER="0" HREF="http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?displayFAQ=y"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="pitlane/emoticons/smile.gif"></A>