If your steering wheel starts to wiggle or your car drifts to one side, it’s tempting to blame the road.
But the real culprits are often worn-out ball joints. As they deteriorate, your wheels can slip out of alignment, making your ride unstable.
That’s why getting them replaced promptly is crucial for your safety on the road.
Read on as we guide you through the ball joint replacement process and expected costs. We’ll also discuss the right time to schedule a replacement and offer useful tips to help your ball joints last longer.
This Article Contains:
- Ball Joints Replacement: Step-by-Step Process
- How Much Does a Ball Joint Replacement Cost?
- When Should You Replace a Ball Joint?
- What Happens if You Don’t Replace a Worn Ball Joint?
- 3 FAQs About Ball Joints
Ball Joints Replacement: Step-by-Step Process
Ball joints are pivot points that connect suspension parts, such as control arms and steering knuckles, to the wheel hub. This allows the wheels to move smoothly as the suspension travels.
Replacing this crucial component isn’t a simple job. It requires professional skill and specialized tools such as a ball joint separator and a torque wrench. A DIY attempt can be risky and may lead to suspension failure or misalignment.
That’s why it’s always best to rely on an experienced technician for a safe, accurate replacement.
Here’s how they’ll go about it:
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel while the car is still on the ground.
- Raise the vehicle with a hydraulic jack and support it securely on jack stands.
- Chock the opposite wheels and engage the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from moving.
- Remove the wheel and set it aside.
- Loosen and remove the brake rotor, caliper, and any connected hydraulic components.
- Detach any sway bars that are linked to the wheel hub.
- Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle to create clearance if needed.
- Separate the old ball joint from the steering knuckle. The ball joint has a ball stud (a metal pin) that fits into the steering knuckle, and a ball joint nut holds it in place.
On most front-wheel-drive vehicles, the ball joint is mounted in the lower control arm. The technician will use a fork or ball joint separator to dislodge the ball stud from the steering knuckle.
On rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the ball joint may be mounted in the steering knuckle instead of the rear axle. In those cases, they’ll separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
- Extract the old ball joint from its housing using the method appropriate for its design:
- Press-in: Remove any snap rings and use a ball joint press to push the bad joint out of the control arm or knuckle.
- Bolt-in: Remove the securing bolts and lift the ball joint out of the mounting flange.
- Riveted: Drill or grind off the factory rivets; replacement units typically bolt back in.
- Press-in: Remove any snap rings and use a ball joint press to push the bad joint out of the control arm or knuckle.
- Install the new ball joint. For press-in joints, use a ball joint press to seat the new joint. Then reinstall the snap rings. For bolt-in and riveted joints, torque the bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Reconnect any previously removed components (sway bar link, tie rod end, brake rotor, caliper) and torque all fasteners to the correct specs.
- Reinstall the wheel, finger-tighten each lug nut carefully.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground and use a torque wrench to tighten each wheel lug nut to the manufacturer’s specified torque.
- Test drive the car to check if the new ball joint is functioning properly. Listen for any unusual noises and assess the steering response.
Wondering about the costs for this time-consuming process?
Let’s break it down.
How Much Does a Ball Joint Replacement Cost?
For most standard vehicles, replacing a single ball joint typically costs $180 to $550, including parts and labor. The price depends on whether the replacement ball joint is greasable or not:
- Non-greaseable ball joints: $180 to $400 (shorter service life)
- Greaseable ball joints: $230 to $550 (long-lasting)
Luxury, heavy-duty, or performance vehicles may exceed these figures because of more complex suspension designs.
Sometimes, the mechanic may also recommend a wheel alignment as the suspension geometry can shift during the repair. This will cost an additional $50 to $100 for a two-wheel alignment.
NOTE: Some vehicles come with ball joints fused or molded into the control arm. In those cases, the ball joint can’t be replaced separately, and you’ll need to get the entire control arm changed. In this case, replacing the entire control arm can cost around $360 to $750.
Now that you have an idea of the cost, the next step is to know when a ball joint truly needs to be changed.
When Should You Replace a Ball Joint?
A ball joint can typically last 70,000 to 150,000 miles without needing replacement.
However, its actual lifespan depends heavily on road conditions, climate, and driving habits. Rough or uneven roads, harsh weather, and frequent off-road use can accelerate wear.
That said, you may need to replace your ball joint immediately if you notice the following signs:
- Uneven tire wear: Feathering or inside-edge wear can occur when a bad ball joint allows the wheel to move out of alignment.
IMPORTANT: Uneven tread wear can reduce traction, especially during braking or cornering, which can compromise overall driving safety.
- Unusual sounds: Clunking, knocking, or popping noises when turning or driving over bumps often point to loose ball joints.
- Cabin vibration: A damaged ball joint can cause noticeable cabin vibration — you’ll feel this in the steering wheel, seats, and brake pedal. This happens when the metal ball inside the joint wears thin, creating shaking even on smooth roads.
- Pulling or wandering sensation: The vehicle may feel like it’s drifting to one side or not going straight due to joint wear affecting alignment.
- Damaged rubber boot (visible on inspection): A cracked rubber boot (protective rubber cover) indicates that the ball joint has been exposed to dirt and is likely beginning to wear out.
- Some ball joints have a built-in wear indicator that signals when the joint has excessive play.
Wondering if you can ignore these symptoms and continue driving?
Here’s why it might be a bad idea.
What Happens if You Don’t Replace a Worn Ball Joint?
If you don’t replace a bad ball joint, your suspension can no longer keep the wheels stable and aligned with the road. The extra stress is transferred to other suspension and steering components, such as the control arm bushings and wheel bearings, leading to faster wear of these parts.
As the joint deteriorates further, the stud can break, or the ball can separate from the socket.
A complete failure can cause the wheel to collapse or turn uncontrollably, creating a dangerous loss of control.
That’s why you should get your damaged ball joint replaced ASAP. And if you notice any signs of damage in a steering or suspension component, don’t wait — reach out to a mechanic right away.
NOTE: While most vehicles use a lower ball joint, some have both upper and lower joints. The lower ball joint, mounted directly to the lower control arm, typically wears out faster because it supports most of the vehicle’s weight while driving. The upper ball joints, connected to the upper control arm, mainly help keep the wheel aligned.
If you still have questions regarding ball joint failure or repairs, the following section may help you resolve those.
3 FAQs About Ball Joints
Here are some commonly asked questions about ball joints:
1. What Causes Ball Joints to Fail?
A ball joint can malfunction due to:
- Wear and tear: Over time, ball joints can naturally wear down from friction against the socket.
- Lack of lubrication: Inadequate lubrication (grease) leads to excessive friction in the joint, causing premature wear.
- Damaged suspension parts: If another suspension component, like the control arm or wheel bearing, is faulty, it’ll transfer stress to the ball joint, due to decreased shock absorption.
- Rust or corrosion: If the boot tears, it allows water or debris to enter the socket, which causes rusting and corrosion.
- Improper installation: Using the wrong tools or incorrect torque settings can misalign or stress the joint, causing it to wear out prematurely.
2. How Long Does a Ball Joint Replacement Take?
Replacing a bad joint usually takes about one to two hours per joint, and three to five hours per side.
This duration also depends on the type of vehicle and the technician’s experience. Vehicles with driveshafts or front axles running through the wheel hub typically take longer. This is because the mechanic will have to disconnect the axle first to reach the wheel hub and joint assembly
3. How Do You Prolong the Life of Your Ball Joints?
To keep your ball joints in top shape:
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension regularly to catch early signs of ball-joint wear.
- Keep the undercarriage clean to protect ball joints from rust and prevent dirt from contaminating the grease inside the joint.
- Avoid heavy impacts, rough roads, and sharp maneuvers to reduce stress on the ball joints.
- Opt for a high-quality replacement ball joint to improve durability.
Choose AutoNation Mobile Service for a Reliable Ball Joint Replacement
An unstable wheel or wobbly steering can quickly turn dangerous. So skip the risk and let AutoNation Mobile Service come to you for a quick yet reliable ball joint replacement.
We’re available seven days a week, and our experienced technicians can handle all car repairs right from your driveway.
What’s more?
We offer upfront pricing, and every repair includes a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.
Schedule your service today for stress-free car care.