Tips if the ball joint / guide joint is defective?

The vehicle may have a defect Ball joint / guide joint? What are the symptoms then? When is a change or repair due and what costs may be incurred? We have the info! Ball joints or ball joints are used on the front wheel suspension as a flexible connection between the wishbone and steering knuckle. On every car is therefore left and right the front axle a ball joint. Due to the high load while driving and the associated signs of wear, it can happen that the ball joints over time knock out and no longer reliably carry out their tasks.

Signs, broken/worn out ball joint!

To be taken seriously is arumbling"Or"rattling“ Front axle while driving. Even if the car itself spongy drives and is no longer "optimally on the road", this can be an indication. Which symptoms could be mistaken for a defective ball joint? The symptoms mentioned above indicate not always to a defective support joint. Similar signs are caused, for example, by worn-out wishbones, a worn-out tie rod end or wear on the axial joint.

The "play" on the front wheels is checked in the workshop to determine the cause. This determines whether the ball joint is actually worn out. Can you continue driving with a defective ball joint? A ball joint with wear reduces safety and comfort when driving. Other consequences can be unevenly worn tires, which are associated with high follow-up costs. Therefore, if you notice such symptoms, you should definitely visit a workshop. A defective ball joint is considered considerable lack, which is why the main inspection in such a case failed will. A minor defect, on the other hand, is damage to the cuff.

Repair / replace ball joint?

If the ball joint wears out, you can't get around the replacement around with a new part. It also makes no sense to fall back on used parts, since ball joints are wearing parts and a used part can be defective again after a short time. And it is also advisable to have a renewal on both sides to do. Because both components have to withstand similarly high loads. Therefore, there is a high probability that wear and tear symptoms will soon appear on the other side of the (still) intact ball joint. Optimum driving behavior can also be ensured through the two-way exchange. And a possible double wheel alignment (is recommended after the change) can also be avoided. However, a change on both sides is not always absolutely necessary (keyword: “repair in line with current market value”).

the workflow

The exact process of the exchange depends on the car in question. On the lifting platform, the dismantling takes place wheel on the affected side. Then the dismantling takes place ball joint with a puller or extraction tool. Depending on the construction, the dismantling of the Wishbone or the drive shaft be necessary. In this case, the change takes longer and is more expensive. Stiff screws with corrosion damage also often make dismantling much more difficult and further increase the time required. After the new ball joint has been installed, the axles should be measured. A worn-out ball joint is often accompanied by worn-out internal elastic wishbone bearings. Then these must also be exchanged.

How much does it cost to change a ball joint?

How much it costs to change the ball joint can vary greatly. The cost depends on the spare parts prices and the individual bill of exchange on the respective vehicle. Basically, there are two types of ball joints: individually installed, which are screwed to the wishbone, and ball joints firmly connected to the wishbone. A single new ball joint costs between 10 and 150 euros. A ball joint permanently installed on the wishbone costs between 30 and 350 euros. In this case there is always a joint change of the ball joint and the associated wishbone. Well-known spare parts manufacturers include Meyle, TRW, Febi, Monroe and Lemforder.

A ball joint change takes about 30 minutes to an hour and a half per side and depends on the number of other components to be dismantled for the change (such as wishbones, drive shafts, etc.) away. At an hourly rate of 100 euros, labor costs of 50 to 150 euros are incurred. According to the calculation one can with total costs between 60 and 500 euros calculate. The latter applies when the ball joint and wishbone are changed together. These costs are usually doubled, since the exchange should always be carried out axis by axis. The recommended Measurement and adjustment of the axles costs around again 50 to 200 euros.

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".