Contents: Examination ↓ Replacement ↓
Examination
Evaluation of the degree of wear of ball joints
1. Try to assess the condition of the upper and lower ball joints every time the vehicle is raised off the ground for any reason.
2. Having secured the car in a raised position, carefully wipe the ball joint assemblies and visually assess the condition of their protective covers. If cracks or cuts are detected, the support must be replaced.
3. Support the lower suspension arm with a jack, unloading the ball joint, try to get the jack as close to the support as possible. Make sure the car is securely fixed in the raised position.
4. Using a lever to pry up each of the front wheels to check the lower ball joints, or each of the upper arms to check the upper ball joints, have an assistant assess the tightness of the ball joints. If any noticeable play is detected, replace the corresponding support (see illustration above).
Replacement
Ball joints form a single unit with the corresponding levers and are not supplied separately as spare parts. If a ball joint fails, the entire lever is replaced (see sections Removal and installation the upper control arm of the front suspension and Removal and installation the lower control arm of the front suspension).