Does a Cracked Steering Ball Joint Rubber Have an Impact?
2 Answers
Steering ball joint rubber cracking has an impact because the steering ball joint contains grease inside. Once the rubber cracks, the grease will leak out. Without lubrication, the steering ball joint will be damaged, leading to steering failure. Symptoms of a damaged steering ball joint in a car include: The car will produce a rattling noise when driving on bumpy roads; noticeable wheel vibrations can be felt at low speeds; the car will become unstable during driving, swaying left and right or pulling to one side. In severe cases, it may even cause brake failure; and if the clearance of the ball joint is too large, it is prone to breakage under impact loads. Replacement cycle for steering ball joints: There is no fixed replacement cycle for car ball joints—they only need to be replaced when damaged. The lifespan of a ball joint is generally determined by road conditions. It is usually inspected every 80,000 kilometers and replaced every 100,000 kilometers under normal conditions. However, if the car frequently drives on rough roads, the lifespan of the ball joint will be relatively shorter, and damage may occur within 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers.
Don't underestimate a cracked steering ball joint rubber boot—it's essentially a dust cover. If damaged, dust and grit can enter, causing the ball joint's lubricating grease to leak and accelerating component wear. I've driven a similar vehicle before and noticed clicking sounds or slight wobbling when steering. In severe cases, it could even lead to loss of steering control or detachment, which is extremely dangerous on the road. I recommend getting it checked at a repair shop immediately. Replacing the rubber boot is inexpensive, but delaying repairs could ruin the entire ball joint, making a full assembly replacement much costlier. Avoid scraping the undercarriage or extreme road conditions during daily driving to extend its lifespan.
