What are the symptoms of a faulty steering linkage ball joint?
1 Answers
External symptoms of a faulty steering linkage ball joint include: a clicking sound when turning; noticeable play in the steering, leading to unstable handling while driving; minor cases may cause steering instability, while severe cases can result in sudden wheel detachment, especially at high speeds. Below is an introduction to the steering linkage ball joint: 1. Function: The tie rod is a crucial component in a car's steering system, directly affecting the vehicle's handling stability, operational safety, and tire lifespan. 2. Tie rod ball joint: The tie rod ball joint consists of a tie rod with a ball joint housing, where the ball joint of the steering spindle is placed inside the housing. The ball joint is connected to the edge of the housing's shaft hole via a ball seat at its front end. Needle bearings between the ball seat and the steering spindle are embedded in the inner groove of the ball seat, reducing wear and enhancing the spindle's tensile resistance. 3. Outer and inner ball joints: The outer ball joint refers to the hand tie rod ball joint, while the inner ball joint refers to the steering linkage ball joint. The steering linkage ball joint connects to the steering knuckle, and the hand tie rod ball joint connects to the parallel rod. A loose steering tie rod ball joint can cause the vehicle to pull to one side, uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration, and in severe cases, detachment of the ball joint leading to sudden wheel detachment.