What causes a bad ball joint in a car?
The ball joint is the most important part of the suspension system, which supports and becomes the fulcrum for other suspension components such as suspension arms or links. Ball joints also often receive the shocks and vibrations that occur in the wheels directly.
The heavy workload supported by the ball joints in this suspension system also seems to make ball joints have to be checked and maintained regularly. The ball joint's lack of awareness and maintenance can result in a rough sound on the car's suspension.
Also, a bad ball joint can cause fatal consequences for the driver of the car. So, what can be the cause of a bad ball joint? In this article, we will share information related to the cause of a bad ball joint in a car. Check out the reviews about the cause of a bad ball joint below.
1. Pass through damaged and flooded roads frequently.
Often passing through damaged and flooded roads can also be the cause of a bad ball joint. Yes, passing through a flooded road can make the grease inside the ball joint disappear. Ball joints that lose lubrication will increase the friction inside the ball joint itself so that sooner or later, it can damage the inner side of ball joints.
Also, frequent road conditions that are damaged are the cause of ball joints becoming damaged quickly. When a car tire hits a hole, the pounding from the wheels will flow directly through the ball joint. The more often and the louder the ball joints hit when passing through damaged roads, the faster damage to the ball joints. Even it is high quality and original ball joints.
2. Incorrect adjustment of the steering angle
Incorrect adjustment of the steering angle can cause the car's ball joint to be damaged. Steering angle adjusted to get the most optimal steering performance with the smallest risk of damage.
The general term for adjusting the steering angle is "spooring". At least four steering angles must be regularly set, namely camber, caster, toe-in, toe-out, and kingpin angles.
Incorrect adjusting the steering angle will accelerate the damage to the ball joint. For example: setting the wheel camber angle that is too minus and making the top side of the wheel is pointing too deeply into the car body.
This condition will make the ball joint get too big a load with less space to move. As a result, ball joint damage occurs more quickly.
Read also:3. Allowing the suspension bushing rubber to break for too long
Another cause of ball joint damage is damage to the suspension rubber components (called bushing), which are not replaced immediately. For example, the lower arm bushing, upper arm bushing, sway bar bushing and others.
This rubber bushing functions to dampen vibrations from the wheels and suspension so that the car feels more comfortable to use. In addition to reducing the vibration, the rubber bushing also functions to maintain the steering angle of the wheels.
Leaving the rubber bushing in the damaged state for a long time can change the steering angles, resulting in the car's ball joint breaking more quickly.
4. The ball joint protection rubber is damaged, torn, or missing.
The next cause of broken ball joints is a broken, torn or missing ball joint protection rubber. This protective rubber ball joint prevents water, dust, sand and other impurities from entering the ball joint.
If the protection rubber ball joint is damaged, torn or lost, all kinds of dirt will easily enter the ball joint. The effect will make the ball joint wear and tear quickly. Even under some conditions, the ball joint will rust and break easily.
5. The ball joint grease is never replace
Some ball joint models (especially those with valve stem) require vehicle owners to regularly replace the ball joint grease. Yes, this ball joint model requires regular grease replacement, at least every 6000 miles.
Failure to replace the grease on the ball joint will cause the ball joint to become less lubricated, hardened, and worn out. Therefore, always pay attention to the schedule to replace ball joint grease to prevent the ball joint from being damaged quickly.