For control arm loaded suspension check out the link bellow • How to check ball join... In this quick tip demonstration I go over one techniques used for finding worn ball joints on strut style suspension or spindle loaded suspension
Thank you for the tip!. I just changed the lower control arms on my 2002 Odyssey and found that I had not tightened the ball joints sufficiently after using your check method. I have 3 kids riding in this vehicle, so thank you so much for taking the time to post this info!
glad you showed what the ball joint actually looks like when it's bad. it's tough for a novice to notice that small amount of play and know there are issues with it
You know what. I just found out the balljoint on my Suzuki baleno is busted as wel. That's wher that noise cam from. Thanks mate, you are great. Another congrats for the win on the contest with brianmobil1
not the video I was looking for but very informative. this is how the state of New Hampshire requires us to check ball joints during a state inspection
if i get one in i will demonstrate, they can be tough however what works for me most times is to use the same method in this vid, but have the hole front end jacked up both front tires off the ground, this takes most of the cross load off the control arm, hope that helps
Thank you for the compliment, the Altima is coming along pretty good i have some footage of the progress just need to find some time to edit, its in paint, im in the process of finish sanding and buffing
Thanks. I actually just checked my ball joints and tie rod ends an hour ago with the up/down side/side test that everyone tells you to do. Wish I had seen this video before so i could check with the pry bar.
Hope things go well, any misalignment on the front hub will be harder on the wheel bearing however i don't think it would fail right away maybe if you ran it for a long time then it may have an effect, hope that helps
yup this is one way, now if you have a lift and the vehicle is raised then you will need to pry elsewhere, since your off the floor, find a spot that allows the same effect usually somewhere between the lower control arm and spindle get between near the ball joint and pry up, works well too
Very good! - i'll be using this method tomorrow to check a suspected failing ball joint. It doesn't exhibit any play using the normal wheel top/bottom wiggle but I suspect it will show up down play using this method. Thanks for a very useful video.
I love your work man. I was wondering if you have the time to help us with giving basic introduction on rebuilding trannsmistion. I know it's a lot of work, but you just make every job you do so simple and esay.
Great video. When you get the control arm off the car, can you show more of the loose ball joint? If you have a lot of time on your hands, I'd sure appreciate it if you cut the joint open to see how it's worn. I've done that on a tie rod joint.
Your welcome, im extremely happy everything worked out, this will be up there in the number one spot of reasons i do what i do, the next time im asked i will share this story, i may even pat myself on the back for this one :)
We had a customer with suspension rattle... Replaced tie rod and shock for no reason (actually they were worn but not enough to cause knocking;) Finally we had to replace a lower suspension arm with ball joint. Every tech in my garage was looking for side to side free play on a ball joint and there wasn't any. There was a lot of up and down movement...
On MacPherson type struts, the lower ball joint is a follower not a load bearing ball joint. The bearing plate of the upper part of the strut mount carries the weight of the vehicle. You did mention that for this eclipse the ball joint was on the lower control arm? Maybe that's the difference.
great video! I actually ended up replacing the ball joints on my girlfriend's '06 Pontiac Vibe after only feeling some play on the wheel placing my hands at 12 and 6 o'clock. but afterwards the play had not changed at all. I also notice some vibration at highway speeds, but it comes and goes and does not happen at the exact same speed each time. It leaves me thinking it may be the front struts? Do you think this is likely or am I way off? thanks in advance!
I've got a question if you don't mind. I've got a VW Beetle TDI 06. Sometimes it makes a hollow thud similar to the noise in this video and it has an accompanying shake VERY noticeable but doesn't do it every day. When it does do it, the noise and shake is relative to the speed of the car and worse going up hills and around right turns (really bad going around an uphill right turn) Sound like a ball joint to you?
Yea that would be nice, i had a chance to pick one up cheap a few months ago and at the same time a 2 post lift was available for a decent price went to check out the 2 post first found out it was shot and needed extensive work by the time i got back to the Z it was sold errr thats what happens when one procrastinates lol still looking
thanx for the video so just jack it up till the tire stops moving downward then pry upward on the tire for strut suspension but still not sure about how to check it with only a lower ball joint and a sway bar under the control arm like a old 1993 dodge caravan
I have the same exact problem on my 2000 Acura Integra... And I'm taking the day off work today in order to fix it. Would a severely bad lower ball joint cause the wheel bearing to fail?
I've been a loud clunk sound when making left turns, and the car's been pulling a little more. If it's the ball joint, what kind of a job should I expect? A replacement or a simple repair I could do myself? Thanks
I got very decieved for a little while. I wiggled my tire the same way you check a bad tie rod and found some play. But when i looked at my ball joint while moving it, i saw movement on a ball joint. I wonder if it is because of the monroe struts that caused that deception. On a 1999 Escort.
Hello, is there a way you can make a video of how to measure ball joints? or if you have a video? im taking my hands on state inspection test next week. I could use some help of how to measure ball joints. any help will be greatful.
I wanted to know what to inspect with my suspension. I hit a curb at about 40mph with my front rim, sweared to avoid the body but the curb ripped the tire and bent the rim and came to a complete stop just about. I checked the tire for play but not really anything. There is shaking and sounds kind of like the wheel bearing may have been damaged but no play so not sure. Turning is sketchy, just vibration and grinding. A visual inspection looks good. 40 to 0 on a rim isn't good Im sure.
Thank you, i do have a video on rebuilding a AX15 manual trans, that will give you the basics on most manual trans and how they work, on that same trans i do a "how it works video" that covers most manuals, i plan on doing a automatic series in the near future. will do my best to keep it simple
I been having a squeak noise when going 10-15 mph don't know where is coming replace the front sway bar bushing in noise still there .. don't know what to do next . suspension part are good tight. Is louder when the vehicle had been sitting for a while especially in the morning then the noise go away . Any Suggest what might be wrong ? 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
I just replaced my whole rack assembly w/tie rods and even got upper control arms. however there is still some play on my right wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock. What could this be? i tried prying up the tire but didn't notice anything on the lower ball joint. please help. btw i hear a knock/ckunk only when i hit small potholes and the tires seems to wobble a bit afterwards.
haha yet again procrastinating!!!! first the wicked deal on tools! now a hoist!!!, question is, your foundation thick enuff and roof tall enuff for a 2 post?
