What happens when a car's ball joint is broken?

2 Answers
Courtney
07/25/25 4:38am
Symptoms of a broken car ball joint include: 1. The chassis will make a clunking noise when driving on bumpy roads. 2. Uneven tire wear, unstable driving, and the car may sway from side to side. 3. Braking deviation. 4. Steering wheel vibration, which in severe cases may lead to steering failure. Introduction to steering ball joints: 1. The steering ball joint is a crucial component in a car's steering mechanism, directly affecting the stability of vehicle handling, driving safety, and tire lifespan. Therefore, it must be replaced promptly if damaged. 2. The function of the steering ball joint is to use a spherical connection to transmit power between different axes, providing multi-angle rotation, allowing the steering mechanism to turn smoothly, reducing vibration, and achieving smooth steering.
Was this review help?
11
4
Share
ZoeyRose
08/10/25 5:28pm
I remember one time when the ball joint was broken, the steering wheel was extremely unstable while driving, as if sliding on ice, with severe alignment deviation and constant creaking sounds when turning, which made me nervous. The tire wear was uneven, with obvious dents on the left side, and the driving vibration also increased significantly. If not repaired in time, it could lead to loss of control and accidents on the highway. The detachment of suspension components could cause the wheel to splay outward, posing a serious safety threat. I always remind myself to address similar issues early and regularly check the tightness of the undercarriage suspension, shock absorbers, and linkages. If any abnormal noise is detected, I should stop and inspect immediately, avoiding prolonged driving on bad roads to extend the lifespan of the parts.
Was this review help?
14
1
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

Do I need to wait for the traffic light when making a U-turn before a crosswalk?

It depends: If the gap is marked with a solid line and the U-turn requires crossing the crosswalk, it is subject to the traffic light; if the gap is marked with a dashed line and the U-turn does not require crossing the crosswalk, it is not affected by the traffic light. In this case, you can make a U-turn directly, provided it does not interfere with other normally moving vehicles and ensures your own safety. If you need to cross the crosswalk to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the crosswalk without reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a traffic violation and should be penalized. When pedestrians enter the motorized lane via the crosswalk, vehicles in adjacent lanes must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. Failure to stop and yield constitutes a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline without entering the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline into the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. Roads divided by green belts. When pedestrians wait in the median area, vehicles must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. Cases where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is permitted. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make a U-turn based on the situation, ensuring it does not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs: If there are no explicit prohibitions, U-turns are allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and no solid centerline, among other conditions. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important facility entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, U-turns are permitted in yellow grid zones unless there is a central barrier. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: If a U-turn signal is present, follow it—only proceed on green. When "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs coexist: U-turns are permitted, but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" does not equate to "No Left Turn." Points to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even without a "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve left-turning movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns are not permitted from the second left-turn lane. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. Failure to do so will result in full liability for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit "No U-turn" signs.
18
2
Share

Do You Need to Change the Rims When Widening Tires?

Whether you need to change the rims depends on the size of the wider tires you are installing. If the tire width is increased by one level compared to the original factory tires, you may not need to replace the rims. Factors affecting tire upgrades: The model of the car's rims and tires are corresponding. When upgrading tires, in addition to considering the rim diameter, you also need to consider factors such as tire width, aspect ratio, the rim's J value, ET value, rim bolt pattern, and the diameter of the upgraded tires. Advantages of widening tires: After widening the tires, the contact area with the ground increases, improving grip and better tolerance to lateral forces. Performance in braking and cornering is also significantly enhanced, and driving stability is improved. Disadvantages of widening tires: The increased contact area between the tires and the ground leads to greater friction resistance, higher fuel consumption, and slower acceleration. Additionally, tire noise at high speeds will be much louder compared to narrower tires. Factors to consider when modifying tires: First, it is recommended that the tire specifications you purchase match those originally equipped on your car. If you need to change the tire specifications, you must go to a professional modification shop for a tire upgrade or consult the car manufacturer.
5
0
Share

How often should a car parked in an underground garage be driven?

A car parked in an underground garage should be driven once every one or two months. This helps recharge the battery, ensures even tire pressure distribution, and most importantly, allows the engine oil to better adhere to the internal components of the engine, which is crucial for vehicle maintenance. Leaving a car unused for extended periods can cause the lubricants to dry and solidify, reducing their effectiveness in lubricating various car parts, which can lead to long-term damage. It's essential to strictly control the speed when entering or exiting an underground garage, as these areas often feature sharp turns and steep slopes, with many designs having vehicles enter and exit through the same narrow, nearly right-angled turns. Always reduce speed when approaching the garage bottom to prevent skidding on painted surfaces, especially on rainy days, which could cause the car to scrape against walls. When taking a parking ticket, observe the ticket machine's position early, get close enough for easy access, and if the distance is too great, park properly, engage neutral with the handbrake (or P for automatic transmissions), then reach for the ticket to avoid accidents. When descending, use brakes and lights effectively. As a beginner navigating continuous turns in an underground garage, always follow rules, slow down, keep your foot on the brake, and never unbuckle your seatbelt regardless of speed. Use high beams in blind spots to alert oncoming vehicles.
9
5
Share

What causes the malfunction of the Golf 7 fuel tank cover?

Golf 7 fuel tank cover malfunction may be due to issues with the spring leaf. Generally, after prolonged use, the spring leaf may lose its elasticity. In northern regions, it could also be caused by freezing. It is rarely due to a broken pull cable. You can try having one person pull the switch in the driver's compartment while another pulls the fuel tank cover from the outside to see if it can be opened. Here is additional information: Reasons why the fuel tank cover won't close: Sometimes, improper installation of the fuel tank cover may cause the outer cover to fail to close. The typical refueling procedure involves lifting the fuel tank switch, which opens the fuel tank cover located at the left rear of the vehicle, then slowly unscrewing the fuel tank cap and hanging it on the back of the fuel filler cap. When reattaching the fuel tank cap, turn it until you hear a click, and the cap will slightly rotate back when released.
20
5
Share

How to Check the Photo Receipt Number of a Driver's License?

The photo receipt for the driver's license will have a retained record in the computer of the original photo studio, and the code can be checked by reprinting it. The following is a relevant introduction about the driver's license: 1. Concept: The full name of the driver's license is the motor vehicle driver's license, also known as the "driver's license," which is the certificate required by law for motor vehicle drivers to apply for. It is a document issued by the government transportation department to individuals who are qualified to drive, usually in the form of a card. 2. Traffic laws: According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses." Information about the motor vehicle driver includes name, gender, date of birth, nationality, address, ID number, and photo.
19
5
Share

Will a touch-up pen damage car paint?

A touch-up pen does not damage car paint, but it does not provide as good a result as direct spray painting and may cause some color discrepancy. Typically, you should select the appropriate model by matching the original color of the car paint, then apply the touch-up pen to small scratches or areas where the paint has peeled off to repair, conceal, and fill in the damage. The composition of a touch-up pen is usually the same as the original car paint, but since car models differ, only a dedicated touch-up pen can be used for each specific vehicle. Characteristics of a touch-up pen: Quick-drying: Due to usage constraints, a touch-up pen must have the feature of quick-drying at room temperature; otherwise, it may cause dripping or attract dust, affecting the appearance. Versatility: Touch-up pens are formulated according to standard colors, offering some versatility. However, they cannot perfectly match vehicles with varying degrees of aging, and the color discrepancy may be more noticeable compared to custom-mixed spray paint, affecting the overall appearance.
13
3
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.