{"id":20278,"date":"2022-09-01T00:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T07:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=20278"},"modified":"2025-10-23T21:05:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T04:05:47","slug":"bad-ball-joint-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column20278_707597-ec{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column20278_707597-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column20278_707597-ec inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-0a1f74  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-9c7116\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52 summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading20278_85aab8-52\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Loud popping or squeaking noises, steering wheel vibrations, and steering problems are some of the most common symptoms of a bad ball joint.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ball joint failure can significantly affect your steering and suspension, which may lead to their partial collapse or the vehicle&rsquo;s wheel and tire moving outward. In some cases, your wheel and tire assembly may come off completely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ball joints work like ball-and-socket joints, allowing your front wheels to move up and down and side to side. Rough driving conditions, vehicle weight, and lubrication can lead to their failure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Ball joint failure is not considered a common problem, but it can still happen. Lack of proper maintenance and lubrication are typically the most common reasons why the ball joints in your vehicle tend to fail over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A worn ball joint will significantly affect your steering and suspension. If the ball joint fails completely, your steering and suspension may partially collapse, causing your wheel and tire to move outward from the vehicle. This is dangerous because it can make you lose control of your vehicle. In some cases, your wheel and tire assembly may come off completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most typically before failure, a ball joint will suffer a burst grease boot and the joint will either dry out and begin to squeak or will become compromised by road dirt and wear out. Ball joints can break and come apart, but that usually happens during slow, sharp turns as in parking lot maneuvers. Replacement ball joints usually have grease fittings but OEM ball joints usually don&rsquo;t have them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankfully, there are ways to find out whether your ball joints have gone bad. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the Symptoms of a Bad Ball Joint?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&rsquo;s a list of the most common bad ball joint symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loud Popping or Squeaking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing loud sounds from the corner of your vehicle when driving over uneven road surfaces may be a sign that you have a loose suspension. The popping and\/or squeaking sound may be faint at first, but it will get worse if you don&rsquo;t replace the faulty ball joint\/s immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steering Wheel Vibrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad ball joint may also cause shimmy-type steering vibrations while driving. This is because loose ball joints can send vibrations into the chassis and through the steering wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you start to feel noticeable vibrations in the steering wheel while driving, have your vehicle checked right away. If the problem isn&rsquo;t one of your ball joints, chances are something else is wrong with your steering or suspension system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steering Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Worn-out, misaligned, or damaged steering components can cause your steering to wander. They may also lead to excessive free play in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/steering-wheel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"steering wheel\">steering wheel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your suspension system is designed to keep your vehicle straight even with minimal effort. If your car keeps drifting or pulling to one side, you may have bad ball joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Steering issues will not only make driving difficult and exhausting, but it will also put you and your passengers at risk. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop immediately to resolve the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uneven Tire Wear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Inspect your tires. If their inner or outer edges are more worn out than other areas of the tire tread, this could be a sign that your ball joints are loose or damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, note that this symptom is also associated with other failing suspension components, as any fault that causes misalignment can cause abnormal tire wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have your suspension components checked once you spot uneven tire wear. If it is indeed your ball joints that are faulty, have them replaced right away. There are many top-quality aftermarket ball joints available on the market today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Misaligned or Damaged Parts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Conducting a visual inspection will help you spot most of the other symptoms of bad ball joints. Determine if a suspension component is bent or misaligned using alignment equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for signs of damage. Any noticeable scrape marks or rust may indicate contact with the road or other suspension components, which could cause your suspension to loosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re not familiar with the suspension and wheel assembly, it is best to let a professional do the checking for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are Ball Joints?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ball joints work like ball-and-socket joints. Functioning just like the joints of your shoulders, they allow your front wheels to move up and down and side to side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension-1024x694.jpg\" alt=\"short-long-arm suspension system diagram\" class=\"wp-image-72407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension-1024x694.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension-150x102.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/traditional-non-strut-suspension.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On traditional non-strut suspension, the steering axis passes through both ball joints. This diagram shows a short-long-arm suspension system typically found on older vehicles. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"830\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension-830x1024.jpg\" alt=\"strut suspension diagram\" class=\"wp-image-72408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension-830x1024.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension-243x300.jpg 243w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension-768x947.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension-150x185.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/strut-suspension.jpg 1216w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Strut suspension typically has a lower ball joint but no upper ball joint, with the steering axis passing through the center of the strut and the weight of the vehicle supported at the top of the strut with a bearing so the strut can rotate on the steering axis as the wheels are turned. The steering axis on strut suspension passes through the centerline of the strut cartridge on down through the lower ball joint. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ball joints allow the steering knuckle to turn and also allow for suspension action at the same time. They enable your wheels to turn and change directions. They are also partially responsible for allowing the wheels to move up and down when driving over potholes or bumps on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two kinds of ball joints, which vary based on the location of the knuckle and control arm. The ball joints are <em>tension loaded<\/em> if the steering knuckle rests on the control arm. If the control arm rests on the knuckle, then the ball joints are <em>compression loaded<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Ball Joints to Fail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Several factors may affect the lifespan of your suspension&rsquo;s ball joints, such as rough driving conditions, vehicle weight, and lubrication. Usually, ball joints that are on the same side wear out simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with proper maintenance, load-carrying ball joints tend to wear out faster than follower ball joints. It&rsquo;s why experts recommend replacing ball joints in pairs to ensure better handling and long-term functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since ball joints are crucial components of your steering system, it&rsquo;s important to ensure that they are in good condition at all times. Replace faulty ones right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ball joints typically last anywhere between 70,000 and 150,000 miles, depending on several factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you frequently drive areas with more bumps and turns than normal, expect to replace your ball joints much sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, driving in the city or on highways with smooth and well-maintained roads can help you maximize your ball joints&rsquo; service life, provided that you are also observing good driving practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Does a Ball Joint Replacement Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An aftermarket ball joint replacement usually costs around $50 to $500 for the part itself. Some may be priced as high as $1000. Take note that this ballpark figure is for the replacement ball joints only. There are other additional expenses that you may have to pay, such as labor and installation costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ball joints are usually sold individually or in sets. They come in greasable and non-greasable variants, so make sure to check on these things first before deciding on anything. Make sure the ball joints you are buying are compatible with your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rsi-card\">\n  <div class=\"rsi-thumb\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/d_noimage.jpg\/b_white\/e_sharpen,e_auto_brightness,e_auto_contrast\/f_auto\/q_auto:eco,dpr_auto\/w_873,h_873,c_pad\/images\/rept282328_4\">\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"rsi-info\">\n    <span class=\"rsi-title\">The Best Ball Joint Brands for Better Handling<\/span>\n    <span class=\"rsi-desc\">Check out the best ball joint brands that restore precise steering, reduce tire wear, and deliver durable replacements for any vehicle.<\/span>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/the-best-ball-joint-brands-for-better-handling-quickref\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Discover Your Options\">Discover Your Options<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it Safe to Drive with Bad Ball Joints?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No. It is never advisable to drive with bad ball joints. When your ball joints break or fall off, the steering and suspension may fall apart. This may cause your wheel and tire to move away from the vehicle, leading to a loss of control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Faulty ball joints may also eventually cause damage to other suspension components, which could result in even more dangerous driving conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make safety your number one priority while on the road. Prevent these potentially dangerous events from happening by replacing faulty ball joints right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get New Ball Joints For Your Ride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&rsquo;t take your ride out until you&rsquo;ve replaced your vehicle&rsquo;s faulty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/ball-joint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"ball joints\">ball joints<\/a>. Fortunately, getting a replacement that fits your vehicle is easy with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don&rsquo;t even have to hop from one auto parts store to another just to get yourself some brand-new ball joints. Shop for high-quality replacement parts on our website, and use our vehicle selector to check for fitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We source our suspension parts from some of the most reliable names in the industry. These components are manufactured in world-class facilities and have gone through strict quality checks. Get OE-quality performance and reliability for a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&rsquo;t wait too long to replace your vehicle&rsquo;s faulty ball joints. Shop now, and get the parts you need in a matter of days.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Ball joint failure is not considered a common problem, but it can still happen. Lack of proper maintenance and lubrication&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":20422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3755],"tags":[1058],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-20278","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-suspension","9":"tag-ball-joint","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1365\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com&#039;s thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.\",\"knowsAbout\":\"Auto Repair, Car Maintenance, Auto Parts, Car Reviews\",\"publishingPrinciples\":\"\\\/blog\\\/our-team\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/thecpteam\\\/\",\"sameAs\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/carpartscom, https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/CarPartscom, https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@CarPartscomOfficial\\\/, https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/carpartscom\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"Richard McCuistian\",\"jobTitle\":\"ASE Master Automobile Technician\",\"description\":\"Richard McCuistian has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, and a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others. Richard is ASE certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.\",\"knowsAbout\":\"Auto Repair, Car Maintenance, Auto Parts, Car Reviews\",\"publishingPrinciples\":\"\\\/blog\\\/our-team\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/richardmccuistian\\\/\",\"sameAs\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/richard-mccuistian-2681891b\\\/, https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/McCuistian\"}],\"headline\":\"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1455,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"ball-joint\"],\"articleSection\":[\"DIY\",\"Suspension\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00\",\"description\":\"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/12\\\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2048,\"height\":1365,\"caption\":\"ball joint white background\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/cp-itg-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/cp-itg-logo.png\",\"width\":2048,\"height\":398,\"caption\":\"CarParts.com\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/carpartscom\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/carpartscom\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/carpartscom\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@CarPartscomOfficial\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9f8a8b00e1b9f62f86295617b525e1f0\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/thecpteam.jpg485c93be26f8b27acc17cbe4a2313397\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/thecpteam.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/thecpteam.jpg\",\"caption\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\"},\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/thecpteam\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/carpartscom\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/carpartscom\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/CarPartscom\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@CarPartscomOfficial\\\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/thecpteam\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com","description":"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com","og_description":"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/","og_site_name":"In The Garage with CarParts.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom","article_published_time":"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2048,"height":1365,"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom","twitter_site":"@carpartscom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"CarParts.com Research Team","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","$id":"1651","name":"CarParts.com Research Team","jobTitle":"Expert Automotive Writer","description":"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com&#039;s thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.","knowsAbout":"Auto Repair, Car Maintenance, Auto Parts, Car Reviews","publishingPrinciples":"\/blog\/our-team\/","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom, https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CarPartscomOfficial\/, https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carpartscom\/"},{"@type":"Person","$id":"1651","name":"Richard McCuistian","jobTitle":"ASE Master Automobile Technician","description":"Richard McCuistian has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, and a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others. Richard is ASE certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.","knowsAbout":"Auto Repair, Car Maintenance, Auto Parts, Car Reviews","publishingPrinciples":"\/blog\/our-team\/","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-mccuistian-2681891b\/, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/McCuistian"}],"headline":"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms","datePublished":"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/"},"wordCount":1455,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","keywords":["ball-joint"],"articleSection":["DIY","Suspension"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/","name":"Bad Ball Joint Symptoms - In The Garage with CarParts.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2022-09-01T07:18:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-24T04:05:47+00:00","description":"A bad ball joint can significantly impact vehicle performance and compromise your safety. Find out the symptoms that point to a bad ball joint with this guide.","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-ball-joint-symptoms\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","width":2048,"height":1365,"caption":"ball joint white background"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/","name":"In The Garage with CarParts.com","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"CarParts.com","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/cp-itg-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/cp-itg-logo.png","width":2048,"height":398,"caption":"CarParts.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom","https:\/\/x.com\/carpartscom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carpartscom","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CarPartscomOfficial\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9f8a8b00e1b9f62f86295617b525e1f0","name":"CarParts.com Research Team","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg485c93be26f8b27acc17cbe4a2313397","url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg","caption":"CarParts.com Research Team"},"description":"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carpartscom\/","https:\/\/x.com\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CarPartscomOfficial\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/"}]}},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/ball-joint-white-background-scaled.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"CarParts.com Research Team","author_link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/thecpteam\/"},"authors":[{"term_id":2607,"user_id":1651,"is_guest":0,"slug":"thecpteam","display_name":"CarParts.com Research Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thecpteam.jpg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""},{"term_id":2985,"user_id":1646,"is_guest":0,"slug":"richardmccuistian","display_name":"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20278"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=20278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}