What are the symptoms of a faulty ball joint in a small car?
2 Answers
Small car ball joint failure manifests as play in the ball socket, producing abnormal noises when encountering bumps or decelerating, and causing floating sensations at high speeds. Below is extended content: Working principle of lower control arm: Through constraint angle design at connection points, the suspension actively adjusts wheel alignment during compression. This highly adaptable design allows perfect matching and tuning for specific vehicle models. Thus, multi-link suspensions maximize tire grip to enhance vehicle handling limits, delivering the best performance among all suspension designs. Function of lower control arm: Improves traction performance for superior driving experience.
My own car had an issue with the ball joint before, and it really made driving uncomfortable: the body would sway significantly when turning, the steering wheel felt loose with noticeable play, leading to less precise steering, and the tires wore unevenly—one side wore out quickly while the other remained fine. On bumpy roads, there were constant creaking or clunking noises from underneath the chassis, which was quite annoying. If not repaired promptly, the car could become unstable when changing lanes on the highway, increasing safety risks. Regular maintenance should include checking suspension components, especially for older cars prone to such issues. Addressing it early can save you from costly replacements of the entire system.