Car ball joint names in the suspension system
We often hear the words about ball joints when doing car maintenance in an auto repair shop, mostly when we need to do wheel alignment and tire balancing. The reason is when the technician says that a ball joint is "broken" or damaged, then the wheel alignment is certainly challenging to do.
It is because the ball joint conditions which obliterated causes inaccurate result for the wheel alignment. It also makes the other suspension components associated with the ball joint will slightly shift and changes its positions.
Even if we still carried out the wheel alignment, the results would certainly not be optimal. Yes, for good wheel alignment results, and according to the vehicle's recommendations, a good ball joint is needed.
As the name implies, a ball joint means a ball-shaped connection. They generally made of high-quality iron and steel material which is strong and resistant to impact. In most car suspension system, the number of ball joints is not only one. There are various names for ball joints, depending on which component for the ball joint attached position.
So, if your technician says there is a bad ball joint, then you need to make sure which ball joint is damaged. The following are the names and types of ball joints that are common in every car suspension system.
1. Upper control arm ball joint
Upper control arm ball joint is a ball joint that is attached to the upper control arm of the suspension system. This ball joint connects the upper control arm and the upper wheel knuckle arm. In some car models, we can replace the ball joint separately. It means that we don't need to replace the entire upper control arm if the ball joint is damaged.
2. Lower control arm ball joint
Lower control arm ball joint is a ball joint that is attached to the lower arm of the suspension system. This ball joint connects the lower arm and the lower wheel knuckle arm. It also can be replaced separately in several car models if the ball joint is going bad.
3. Sway bar joint link
The sway bar joint link is a ball joint mounted on the sway bar which connects the sway bar rod with the shock breaker or lower control arm. Even so, sometimes the sway bar does not use a ball joint, but they only use rubber bushings as a joint connector.
4. Tie rod end ball joint
Tie rod end ball joint is a ball joint that is attached to the wheel knuckle and connected to the long tie rod (inner tie rod) in the steering system. Tie rod end is the last ball joint of steering system components, both rack and pinion model or recircullating ball model.
5. Long tie rod ball joint (inner tie rod)
Long tie rod ball joint or known as inner tie rod is a ball joint that is mount on the steering rack component and connected to the tie rod end ball joint. We only find the inner tie rod in steering systems that use the rack and pinion type.
Read also:6. Drag link ball joint
We will only find a drag link ball joints on cars with a steering system that uses a recirculating ball, worm and sector roller, etc., except for the rack and pinion type. Drag link ball joint is a ball joint that will connect the drag link with the pitman arm.
7. Lateral control arm ball joint
Lateral control arm ball joints are generally found in multi-link type suspensions, mounted on a lateral control arm that connected to the lower wheel knuckle. The ball joints on the lateral control arm are usually attached so that when damage occurs, a lateral control arm assy replacement is required.
The shape of the lateral control arm, links and others may be different from the image illustrated above, because each car suspension system has a different position and shape.