Is it a problem if the rubber of the steering ball joint is cracked?
3 Answers
The cracking of the steering ball joint rubber has an impact because there is grease inside the steering ball joint. 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 clunking 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 ball joint has excessive play, it is prone to breakage under impact loads. Replacement cycle for the steering ball joint: 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.
A cracked steering ball joint rubber boot is nothing to take lightly. Last time my car had the same issue, the mechanic said it's called a dust boot. Once cracked, dust and muddy water can get right into the ball joint. When the lubricant inside gets contaminated, the metal ball joint grinds directly, causing clunking noises and making the steering wheel shake. If the wear becomes severe, the steering may suddenly feel loose during turns, which is extremely dangerous. Back when I was driving my kids to school daily, I got so scared that I immediately replaced the boot. Although it's just a piece of rubber, it's crucial for the entire steering system. Don't delay fixing something that costs just around a hundred bucks. Also, a friendly reminder to slow down when going over potholes - hitting speed bumps perpendicularly is particularly damaging to these rubber components.
I know exactly what you mean. My old car had the same issue last year. At first, there was just a small crack in the rubber boot, and I thought it was no big deal. But within two months, I started hearing metal clunking sounds from the chassis when turning. The mechanic found the ball joint was already worn with visible grooves. When he took it apart, it was full of sand and rusty water. Now during maintenance, I always specifically check the rubber components under the chassis, especially for cars five or six years old - those rubber boots deteriorate surprisingly fast. The replacement isn't expensive though, just need to remove the tire. The scariest part is if the wear reaches its limit and the ball joint seizes up, the steering wheel could lock completely. The consequences on the highway don't bear thinking about. That's why it's much safer to deal with any cracks as soon as you spot them.
